6p
PUBLISHED BY
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
THE WONDER GARDEN. Illustrated in color
by Milo Winter.
THE BOOK OF ELVES AND FAIRIES. Illus-
trated in color by Milo Winter.
TALES OF THE PERSIAN GENII. Illustrated
in color by Willy Pogany.
THE RED INDIAN FAIRY BOOK. Illustrated
in color by Frederick Richardson.
BIBLE STORIES TO READ AND TELL. Illus-
trated in color by Willy Pogany.
GOOD STORIES FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS.
Illustrated.
STORY-TELLING POEMS.
THE CHILDREN'S READING.
With A mena Pendleton
THE JOLLY BOOK FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.
THE WONDER GARDEN
SANG OF BEAUTIFUL, STRANGE, FAR-OFF THINGS
THE
WONDER GARDEN
NATURE MYTHS AND TALES FROM
ALL THE WORLD OVER
for
STORY-TELLING AND READING ALOUD
AND FOR THE CHILDREN'S OWN READING
BY
FRANCES JENKINS OLCOTT
With Illustrations by
MILO WINTER
BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
The Riverside Press Cambridge
85879
COPYRIGHT, IQIQ, BY FRANCES JENKINS OLCOTT
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
w
<\!
TO MY NIECE
ELISE YATES PHILLIPS
A bit of the Sky fell down one day;
It touched a Star and glanced away;
A spark from the Star in its breast it bore,
And fell to the earth, and was no more.
Up sprang from the grass a tiny flower
That brightly grew 'neath sun and shower: •
The bit of the Sky in its petals blue,
The spark from the Star in its bosom, too.
The Star gazed down at its happy lot,
And whispered, " Dear, forget-me-not I "
V
J FOREWORD
HERE are 150 nature myths and short stories
from all parts of the World. They are the kind
that children delight in — tales of transforma-
tions of maidens into trees and fountains, of youths
into flowers, and of men into birds. Blossoms,
w fragrance, and joy are the themes of many of
these tales, while a few are tender, pathetic, or
humorous.
Nature myths not only give joy, but they are
educational — they clothe nature with poetic at-
, tributes. The Greek and Roman myths have been
r>t taught to many generations of English speaking
ri children, and on the " transformations " the fancies
and imaginations of our English poets have fed,
from Chaucer to Swinburne. Without a knowledge
of these myths, one cannot appreciate or even en-
x<' joy the classic allusions in the poems of Shake-
al speare, Herrick, Milton, Shelley, Keats, Lowell,
Longfellow, and many other poets. Art, too, has
for its themes, classic fables and myths; so to
understand beautiful paintings and sculpture,
it is necessary to know something of classic
mythology.
But the Greeks and Romans were not the only
viii FOREWORD
peoples possessing transformation tales and na-
ture legends; the blossom-loving Japanese, the
totem-worshipping Red Indians, and many other
peoples have a wealth of such tales. When stripped
of their repellent elements, — for all mythologies,
classical or otherwise, contain such elements, —
these tales are most delightful and fanciful, and
invest flowers, birds, and nature as a whole with
poetic charm that pleases children as does a fairy-
tale.
"Mariora Floriora," "Maiden White and
Maiden Yellow," the Iroquois "Legend of the
Corn," and the other delicate, graceful, and sym-
bolic nature myths, presented here, cover a wide
range, coming from all over the World, — from
Japan, China, Finland, Eskimo-land, Red In-
dian-land, Norway, Russia, France, Ireland,
Wales, Friesland, Roumania, Persia, and Arabia.
In retelling the classic Greek and Roman myths,
great care has been taken to preserve their clas-
sical features, as well as to emphasize their poetic
elements. The tales, with few exceptions, have
been retold directly from good translations of
Homer, Bion, Moschus, Anacreon, Hesiod, Ovid,
and other classic writers. Hence they have a
freshness and vigour that could not be theirs if
retold from adapted material.
A few modern tales have been added to com-
plete the volume. It is regretted that Andersen's
FOREWORD ix
Snow Queen and The Little Mermaid, are much
too long for inclusion, but they may be easily got
at any public library. However, a few of his ex-
quisite shorter pieces are included, and lend their
charm to these pages in which boys and girls
may wander at will through this Garden of De-
light. For here are the sweet scents of flowers,
the colours of blossoms, the whisperings of trees,
the springing of fresh grass, the singing of soar-
ing birds, the murmuring of streams, — all are
here, and all are transfused with a wonder element
that creates a real Fairy Garden.
To make the volume of the greatest practical
use to teachers and librarians, an Appendix is
added, containing: —
(a) A Calendar — or Programme — of the na-
ture tales arranged by the school year, as an aid
in following the changing seasons — see page 446.
(6) A Reference List of nature stories and tales
in other books, suitable to tell or to read aloud
— see page 454.
(c) A Subject Index, referring to the myths and
tales in this volume, under such headings as the
names of fruits, flowers, trees, seasons, Arbour
Day, Bird Day, etc., and under ethical headings
like Retribution, Affection, Obedience, and Hon-
esty — see page 469.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
SPECIAL acknowledgment is here made to the New
York Evening Post for the use of the many stories
included in this volume which I have written for
its columns.
Acknowledgment is also due the Churchman
Company, for the use of my li'ttle story "The
Beauty of the Lily," that was first published in
The Churchman.
Thanks are due the following publishers and
authors, for stories or themes from their publica-
tions : —
To Messrs. Houghton Mifflin Company, for
"The Garden of Frost Flowers," retold from
William Cullen Bryant, Poems; "Girl who Trod
on a Loaf," from Hans Christian Andersen,
Wonder Stories Told for Children; "Gleam o' Day
and the Princess Lotus-Flower," from George
Soulie, Strange Stories from the Lodge of Leisures;
"Green Plumes of Mondamin," from Henry W.
Longfellow, Hiawatha; "The Robin," from John
Greenleaf Whittier, Poems.
To the American Folk-Lore Society, for "The
Turkey-Given Corn," and "The Pet Turkey
whose Feelings were Hurt," from Washington
xii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Matthews, Navaho Legends and " The Old Wo-
man who was a Burr," from George A. Dorsey,
Traditions of the Skidi Pawnee.
To the Canadian Magazine, for "The Maple
Leaf For Ever," retold from a story by Miss Grace
Channell.
To Messrs. Henry Holt and Company, for
"The Mignonette Fairy," and "The Dandelion
Fairies," from Flower Lore and Legend, by Kath-
erine M. Beals.
To The Macmillan Company, for "The Wind
in the Pine," from Green Willow, by Grace
James.
To Miss Gladys Wolcott Barnes, for "The
Colours of the Rainbow," first published in The
Living Church.
To Mr. W. W. Canfield, for "The Legend of the
Trailing Arbutus," and "The Legend of the
Corn," from his Legends of the Iroquois, published
by A. Wessels Company.
To Mrs. Julia Fish, for the French translations
made purposely for this volume.
To Miss Elizabeth M. Lum, for "The Legend
of the Goldenrod," from her Ancient Legends,
published by Tuttle, Morehouse, and Taylor.
To Miss Ada M. Skinner, for the paraphrase
"Prince Butterfly and Clover," from her Tur-
quoise Story Book, published by Duffield and
Company.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xiii
The following is a partial list of the many other
sources from which I have drawn atmosphere
and plots for stories : —
Japanese tales, like "Maiden White and Maiden
Yellow," "The Chrysanthemum Children," "The
Morning-Glory Fan," are from Davis, Myths and
Legends of Japan, and Gordon Smith, Ancient
Tales and Folk-Lore of Japan. Red Indian tales
are from the publications of The American Mu-
seum of Natural History, Bureau of American
Ethnology, Carnegie Institution of Washington,
and The Field Columbian Museum. Miscellaneous
legends and tales are from Barker and Sinclair,
West African Folk-tales; Professor Basil Hall
Chamberlain, Language, Mythology, etc. of Japan;
Lizzie Deas, Flower Favourites; Dyer, Folk-Lore of
Plants; Folkard, Plant Lore, H. A. Giles, Chinese
Fairy Tales; Ingram, Flora Symbolica; Canon
Hcrsley, Some Folk-Lore and Legends of Birds;
Captain O'Connor, Folk-Tales from Tibet; T.
WT. Rolleston, Myths and Legends of the Celtic
Race.
Other miscellaneous legends and tales are from
such quaint authors as Angelo de Gubernatis,
Madame Anais de Neuville, King Alfred's
Boethius; Abbe Antoine Banier (1673); William
Browne of Tavistock (1591), Abraham Cowley
(1618), Abbe Rene Rapin (1621).
Among the classic authors and sources contrib-
xiv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
uting myths are, Anacreon, Apollodorus, Apollo-
nius Rhodius, Bion, Callimachus, Hesiod, Homer,
the Homeric Hymns, Lucian, Moschus, Ovid,
Pindar, Pliny, and Theocritus.
CONTENTS
THE WONDER GARDEN I
The Garden of Delight 2
Come! Come! into this Wonder Garden . . 3
ALONG THE FLOWERY WONDER PATH .... 5
"Now all fair things come to light"
Anonymous 6
"Here are Sweet-Peas" . . . John Keats 6
"Jealous girls these sometimes were"
Robert Herrick 6
The Snowdrop Fairy Irish Tale 7
The Little Nymph who Loved Bright Colours
Old Legend 11
Hyacinth From Ovid 14
Echo and Narcissus From Ovid 16
Clytie, the Heliotrope .... From Ovid 21
Pansy-Boy From Pindar 23
< The Bad Poppy-Seeds . . Bengali Legend 24
The Mignonette Fairy . . Old French Tale 26
Legend of the Heart's Ease . . Old Legend 28
XThe Dragon Sin .... Sussex Legend 29
The Cup of Thanksgiving . Hebrew Fable 31
The Beauty of the Lily . . . Easter Tale 32
The Christmas Thorn of Glastonbury
From William of Malmesbury 36
Forget-me-not ! ... Legend of Paradise 39
The Maiden of the White Camellias
Japanese Myth 40
Princess Peony Japanese Tale 44
xvi CONTENTS
The Chrysanthemum Children Japanese Tale 47
Maiden White and Maiden Yellow
Japanese Tale 50
IN THE ROSE BOWER WITH THE ROSE QUEEN 53
"I will not have the mad Clytie"
Thomas Hood 54
"Then came we to great breadths of shady
wood" Plato 54
Adventures of Cupid Among the Roses From
Anacreon, Moschus, Lucian, and other Sources 55
Naughty Little Cupid 55
Red Roses of Nectar 56
How Pansies Came Coloured 57
Why Venus Liked Doves 57
Venus's Looking Glass 59
Cupid's Darts 60
Lost! Lost! 61
Cupid Punished 62
Why Roses Have Thorns 62
Legend of the Anemone and the Rose
From Bion and Ovid 64
The Rose-Tree Queen . . . Old Legend 67
-4 The Blush-Rose and the Sun
Roumanian Legend 70
How Moss-Roses Came . Legend of Paradise 71
The Sultana of the Flowers . . Persian Tale 72
King Suleyman and the Nightingale
Persian Tale 73
The Nightingale and the Rose . .FromSa'di 74
WITH THE SOARING TALKING BIRDS .... 77
"My old Welsh neighbour over the way"
John Greenleaf Whittier 78
Bird Calls 79
CONTENTS xvii
Why the Owl Cries Hoot ! Hoot !
Breton Legend 79
Why the Little Bird that Brags Cries
Cuckoo! Friesland Legend 80
*Why Crows Caw . . . Eskimo Legend 81
Why the Pewee Looks for Brother
Mohammedan Legend 81
The Greedy Blackbird . . Old French Tale 83
The Spice Bird From Pliny 85
King Picus the Woodpecker . . From Ovid 87
The Magpie Maidens From Hesiod and Ovid 90
The Boy that the Eagle Stole From Lucian 95
The Robe of Feathers . . Japanese Myth 97
Pan's Song . . William Browne of Tavistock 100
WHERE FLORA REIGNS THE QUEEN OF FLOWERS 105
" The Daisy scattered on each mead and down"
William Browne of Tavistock 106
"The Foxglove on fair Flora's hand is worn"
Abraham Cowley 106
<Why Crocus Holds up his Golden Cup
From Ovid 107
Legend of the Frail Windflower Old Legend 108
The Primrose Son Old Legend 110
The Lilies White William Browne of Tavistock 111
The Cornflower Youth . . . . Old Legend 113"
The Little Nymph who Rang the Bells
Old Legend 114
The Marigold Arrows From Abraham Cowley 116
Fruit on the Rose-Bush . . . .Old Legend 118 -
PLUCKING MEADOW WONDER BLOSSOMS . . . 121
"The air is soft, the dale is green" Anonymous 122
"Next followed on the Fairy Nobles"
William Browne of Tavistock 122
xviii CONTENTS
Legend of the Trailing Arbutus
Iroquois Legend 123
The Wood- Violet that was a Maiden
Old Legend 127
The Dandelion Fairies .... Old Tale 128
The Story that the Buttercups Told
Hans Christian Andersen 130
Little Princess White Chicory Old Legend 131
Why the Frogs Call the Buttercups Old Legend 132
Little White Daisy .... Old Legend 134
Legend of the Goldenrod . . Old Legend 136
The Old Witch who was a Burr
STddi-Pawnee Tale 137
Fairy Cowslips Folklore 140**"
The Fox in Gloves . . . Celtic Folklore 141
Pan's Lovely Maid
William Browne of Tavistock 142
LISTENING TO THE MAGIC WATERS 143
"Arethusa arose" . . Percy Bysshe Shelley 144
The Stone that Shed Tears . . . From Ovid 145
The Weeping Waters .... From Ovid 146
Arethusa From Ovid 148
Little Hylas
From Theocritus and other Sources 150
CATCHING INSECTS GREEN AND BLUE .... 153
"A Wild-Rose tree" .... John Keats 154— -
"Firefly! Firefly! Bright little thing"
Henry Schoolcraft 154
Gleam-o'-Day and Princess Lotus-Flower
Chinese Tale 155
Prince Golden-Firefly . . Japanese Folktale 158
Prince Butterfly and Clover Blossom
From Louisa At. Alcott 161
CONTENTS xix
Anansi the Spider-Man From the Gold Coast 165
Why Spiders Live in Dark Corners . . . 165
Why Spiders Live Under Stones .... 168 >/
Ladybird ILadybird! Folktale 171
The Boy who Caught Flies . . Old Legend 172
Tithonus, the Grasshopper
From the Homeric Hymns 174
The Morning-Glory Fan . . Japanese Tale 175
WANDERING THROUGH THE ENCHANTED FOREST 179
"Her angel's face" . . . Edmund Spenser 180
The White Hare of Inaba . Japanese Legend 181
Story of the Tiger and the Man
Tibetan Folktale 183
Why Rabbits Have Yellow Hairs Sioux Myth 188
Why the Deer Have Antlers . . Hopi Tale 190
- Why there are no Snakes in Ireland
Irish Folktale 191
•f The Last of the Serpents . . Irish Folktale 193
GATHERING FRUITS STRANGE, RICH, AND RIPE 197 -*"
"The Golden Apple, the Golden Apple" ~-
Alfred Lord Tennyson 198
The Magic Strawberries .... Folktale 199
The Golden Strawberries . . . Folktale 201
Why the Pomegranate Wears a Crown and
Royal Robes Old Legend 202
The Tantalizing Fruits
From Homer and Pindar 204
The Golden Apples of the Hesperides
From Apollodorus 205
The Apple of Discord
From Euripides and Ovid 209
Idun and the Magic Apples Norse Myth 215
xx CONTENTS
DIVING THROUGH THE GREEN SEA WAVES . .221
"A Drop of Rain was falling" . From Sa'di 222
"Full fathom five thy father lies"
William Shakespeare 222
The Fisherboy Urashima Japanese Folktale 223
Prince Fireshine and Prince Firefade
Japanese Myth 227
Arion and the Dolphin
From Herodotus and Ovid 232
The Jewel Tears .... Japanese Tale 234
The Fairy Swan Song . . . Celtic Myth 238
ON THE WINGS OF THE WIND IN THE RAINBOW
SKY 243
"I bring fresh Showers for the thirsting flow-
ers" Percy Bysshe Shelley 244
Why the Iris Wears Rainbow Colours
Old Tale 245
Flower of the Rainbow .... New Tale 246
The Boy whose Wings Fell OS . From Ovid 249
The Man in the Moon Folktale 251
The Story of Jack and Jill
Norse Myth from the Younger Edda 252
The Sheep in the Pasture . . Welsh Myth 254
The Lazy Boys who Became the Pleiades
Caddo Myth 255
The Maiden in the Moon . . . Folktale 256
The Colours of the Rainbow
Gladys Wolcott Barnes 257
A Drop of the Water of Light S. Baring-Gould 258
The Halcyon Birds From Ovid 264
The Bag of Winds .... From Homer 268
WITH FLASH o' FIRE AND GLINT o' GOLD . . . 273
" In strea ms the gold, the copper flows ' ' Virgil 274
CONTENTS xxi
The Golden Gift of King Midas
From Herodotus and Ovid 275
Little White Rabbit . . . Menomini Myth 278
The Wicked Fairies . . .Old French Tale 283
The Man who Brought Fire . From Hesiod 287
Why Unlucky Iron Kills
Finnish Myth from the Kalevala 290
WITH SNOW ELVES IN SNOW HILLS .... 295
"Now you must know that in those early
times" William Cullen Bryant 296
Snow-Blanche Russian Folktale 297
The Snowball Hares .... Aino Myth 301
Why the Snow is White . . . Old Legend 302
How the First Snowdrop Came
Legend of Paradise 303
The Garden of Frost Flowers
From William Cullen Bryant 304
SECRETS OF THE WHISPERING TREES .... 313
"Orpheus with his lute made trees"
William Shakespeare 314
Old-Man- Who-Made-the-Trees-to-Blossom
Japanese Folktale 315
The Daughter of the Laurel Roumanian Legend 317
White Flowering Almond . . .Old Legend 319
Orpheus who Made the Trees to Dance
From King Alfred's Boethius 320
Erysichthon the Hungry From Callimachus 323
The Wind in the Pine . Japanese Folktale 326
* The Maple Leaf For Ever . Canadian Tale 330
Daphne From Ovid 333
WITH MARVELLOUS FARM THINGS 337
"All around the happy village"
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 338
xx
CONTENTS
The Proud Buckwheat
Hans Christian Andersen 339
Farmer Mybrow and the Fairies
West African Folktale 342
* The Witch Cat .... Scotch Folktale 345
Why Dogs Have Long Tongues Caddo Tale 347
Potato! Potato! ...... New Tale 349
The Duck-Feather Man . . Chinese Tale 353
The Potato-Choosing Boy . . . New Tale 355
The Turkey-Given Corn . . . Navaho Myth 360
The Pet Turkey whose Feelings were Hurt
Navaho Myth 366
Peach Boy's Rice-Cakes . Japanese Folktale 371
The Seven Corn Maidens . . . Zuni Myth 376
Legend of the Corn . . . Iroquois Myth 38 f
The Ram with the Golden Fleece
From Apollodorus and Ovid 383
The Enchanted Swine . . . From Homer 389
The Winged Horse .... From Pindar S97
The Snow- White Bull From Moschus and Ovid 400
The Girl who Trod on a Loaf
Hans Christian Andersen 404
ALL THE HAPPY WONDER MONTHS ..... 411
"First April, she with mellow showers"
Robert Her rick 412
"So forth issued the Seasons of the Year"
Edmund Spenser 412
Old Man Coyote and Summer in a Bag
Crow Myth 413
The Old Woman who Met the Months
Folktale from the Island of Melos 416
The Reed that was a Maiden . . From Ovid 418
The Reeds that Told a Secret . . From Ovid 421
The Hundred-Headed Daffodil . From Ovid 424
CONTENTS xxiii
Mariora Floriora . . . .Moldavian Legend 430
The Wooing of Pomona .... From Ovid 434
The New Year . . Hans Christian Andersen 438
APPENDIX 443
Nature Myths and Story -Telling 445
Programme Calendar for Every Month of the
Year 446
An Old English Calendar of the Flowers . . 452 .
Story-Teller's Reference List of Nature Myths
and Tales in Other Books 454
SUBJECT INDEX FOR STORY-TELLERS . , 469
ILLUSTRATIONS
She sang of beautiful, strange, far-off things
Frontispiece
Roses of Nectar 56
The Tiger followed the Man to his house . . 186
Away ! away ! it sped over the waves .... 374
THE WONDER GARDEN
THE GARDEN OF DELIGHT
The Magic Waters gush from Speaking Rocks,
From Golden Boughs the Golden Apples fall,
And Silver Fruits, that tinkle in the breeze,
So sweetly tinkling, to the Children call: —
" Come into this Garden of Delight !
Dance hand in hand along its wonder-walks,
Where mellow sun-rays smile through tender green,
And every Branch and every Leaflet talks !
"Oh ! twine a garland sweet of fragrant flowers,
And deck your head with wreaths of blossoms gay,
And listen to the tales they have to tell
Of that far-off and wondrous Wonder-Day !
"And as the mourning trees bend down their heads,
Oh ! hush and listen to their tales of truth,
For they, erewhile, were happy Maids and fair,
In that wondrous Wonder-Land-of -Youth !"
The Magic Waters gush from Speaking Rocks,
From Golden Boughs the Golden Apples f all,
And Silver Fruits, that tinkle in the breeze,
So sweetly tinkling, to the Children call.
TO THE CHILDREN
COME! COME! INTO THIS WONDER GARDEN
AND WANDER THROUGH ITS MANY PATHS
VERY big and wide is this Wonder Garden. All
sorts of marvellous things happen in it : —
Rainbows shed gold. Beautiful youths and
maidens are changed into flowers. Dryads peep
from the trees, and Nymphs dissolve into foun-
tains of tears. Birds and trees have strange
adventures. Dandelion Fairies grow up hi the
grass, and so do Fairy Peonies and Chrysan-
themum Children; while Firefly Maidens, with
bright lights under their wings, flit about among
the flowers.
Very big and wide, indeed, is this Wonder
Garden. In it are meadows and forests, blue
lakes and loud-sounding seas. The boisterous
Boreas and his gentle brother Zephyr blow
through it. Golden Apples and talking fruits
hang from its boughs. Magic animals talk and
walk in its magic farm. Shepherds and Shep-
herdesses keep their flocks, and dance in the
meadow grass; while great heroes like Hercules
and Ulysses have marvellous adventures by land
and sea.
Very wonderful, indeed, is this Wonder Gar-
4 THE WONDER GARDEN
den; for it belongs to Dame Nature, while
Old Father Time is its keeper, and they have
spread out their garden until it covers the whole
wide Fairy World,
ALONG THE FLOWERY WONDER PATH
FAIRY BLOOMS
Now all fair things come to light:
Lilies on a moonlit night
Lift the mould and greet the Morn
With a smile of Silence born;
Daffodils, and Fairy Blooms
Rise from all the woodland tombs,
And upon the mossy bough
Buds and blossoms lie like snow.
ANON.
THE SWEET-PEAS' WINGS
Here are Sweet-Peas, on tiptoe for a flight;
With wings of gentle flush o'er, delicate white,
And taper fingers catching at all things,
To bind them all about with tiny rings. •
JOHN KEATS
HOWT MARIGOLDS CAME YELLOW
Jealous girls these sometimes were,
While they lived or lasted here:
Turned to Flowers, still they be
Yellow, mar Iced for jealousy.
ROBERT HERRICK
THE SNOWDROP FAIRY
Irish Tale
ONCE upon a time, there was a pleasant old house
in Ireland, and around it was a wide flower gar-
den where grew Roses white and red, and where
Strawberries and Primroses peeped from the
grass. Trees stood around the border and flower-
ing shrubs were everywhere.
But the most delightful of all was a mound
in the corner of the garden farthest away from
the house. The greenest and softest grass grew
on that mound, and in the Springtime it was
covered with white nodding Snowdrops. So the
children called it "The Snowdrop Mound."
They loved it best of all places, and when
lessons were over they ran to the Snowdrop
Mound and played and shouted and romped,
trampling the grass and tossing about withered
wreaths of flowers that they had gathered in the
garden, — yes, and they even threw Strawberry
hulls on the grass.
One beautiful afternoon when the golden
sunlight was shining through the leaves, the
children were playing as usual on the Snowdrop
Mound, shouting and singing and making a
great noise. Then suddenly they saw a lovely
lady coming toward them. Her light hair
8 THE WONDER GARDEN
gleamed softly and her long robe of shimmer-
ing green trailed in the grass. She lifted her
drooping head, and the children saw that her
face was delicate and beautiful, but that it
was sad and displeased. They ran to meet
her.
"Are we making too much noise?" they all
cried.
Then the littlest child, Baby Rose, put up
her lips to be kissed, but the lady stood gravely
looking at the mound.
"Do stay awhile and play with us, dear, beau-
tiful lady!" pleaded the children; and as they
spoke they began to gather up the withered
wreaths.
At this the lady smiled, and her eyes shone
like stars. She caught up Baby Rose in her arms,
and kissed her. Then, beckoning, she led the
children to a green spot near the mound and,
putting down Baby Rose, began to dance,
swaying lightly from side to side; and as she
danced she sang sweetly.
The children joined hands and danced with
her in a circle, round and round. All the after-
noon they danced and were not tired. Then the
lady, still dancing and swaying, led them back
to Snowdrop Mound, and they circled it once,
twice, three times. Then they heard the voice
of their nurse calling and calling as she came
through the garden.
THE SNOWDROP FAIRY 9
The lady hesitated, stopped singing, and
looked grave.
"Oh, stay with us! Stay with us, dear, lovely
lady!" the children all cried.
At that very moment the nurse stopped at
a shrub and broke a branch. As it snapped, the
lady glided away among the trees.
"Come back! Come back to-morrow!" cried
all the children; but she was gone.
"Never did I know such children!" said the
nurse. "Your supper has been waiting this
hour! Here is baby sitting in the wet grass!"
As she spoke she picked up little Rose, who
screamed and struggled and stretched out her
arms toward the spot where the lady had gone.
" What's this, my pet? " cried the nurse. " You
smell like the sweetest posies! You are like a
little Snowdrop yourself!"
"She is, indeed," said old Dennis, the gardener,
drawing near. "She has eyes that can see far!
For the Good People have kissed her!"
"Do you mean the Fairies?" cried all the
children. They looked at one another and
thought of the beautiful lady who had danced
with them.
Then they saw that the branch in the nurse's
hand was a bit of the Mountain Ash — the
mystic Rowan tree — which breaks all Fairy
spells, and even frightens the Good People far
away.
10 THE WONDER GARDEN
So it must have been. For every day after
that the children went to the Snowdrop Mound,
and laid fresh Forget-me-not wreaths upon the
grass, but the beautiful lady never came back.
THE LITTLE NYMPH WHO LOVED
BRIGHT COLOURS
Old Legend
ONCE upon a time, in days of yore, there was a
happy little Nymph who liked to play by the
side of the stream in which her mother, a lovely
Naiad, lived.
She delighted to pick bright wild-flowers —
the brighter the better — so that her eyes might
feast themselves on their gay colours. Red and
yellow were her favourites.
But though she was so pretty and gay, she
was very fickle, and forgot her flowers the minute
a Butterfly fluttered past. She would throw
them on the ground, trample them underfoot,
and away she would run after the bright insect.
One day Vertumnus, Keeper-of-All-the-Or-
chards-in-the- World, saw the little maiden romp-
ing by the stream while she wreathed her head
with garlands. Immediately he wanted to take
the pretty child home with him to live in his
most beautiful orchard.
He put on his robes painted with Autumn
colours, crowned himself with fruit blossoms,
took in his right hand red Apples and yellow
Pears, and in his left a big cornucopia heaped to
overflowing with Grapes, Plums, and Peaches.
12 THE WONDER GARDEN
Then he sauntered along the brook until he met
the little maiden.
He coaxed her in his tenderest tones to go
along with him, offering her the Apples and
Pears, and even his cornucopia, but she only
shook her curls and laughed. And the minute
that a Butterfly with blue wings flashed by, she
forgot all about Vertumnus, she forgot about his
beautiful orchard and his gorgeous fruits, and
away she ran after the insect.
So light and nimble was she that before Ver-
tumnus could follow she vanished behind a
hedge of Wild Roses. At the same moment loud
bursts of harsh laughter came from the wood
near by, and he saw an old Faun dancing and
capering among the trees.
* ' Ho ! ho ! Keeper-of -All-the-Orchards-in-the-
World!" roared the Faun, holding his sides in
merriment; " if you wish to snare the fickle heart
of yon little Nymph, you must change yourself
into a new shape each minute, to please her
shifting fancy."
So Vertumnus, who wanted the little maiden
very much, did what the Faun advised, and
changed himself into a Butterfly, and a Rose,
and a Bluebird. But no matter what he became,
she liked him only for a minute, then forgetting
all about him, away she ran after something
else.
At last Vertumnus grew very angry, for he
THE LITTLE NYMPH 13
could hear the Fauns and Satyrs making the
\vood ring with peals of harsh laughter, while
they mocked at him from behind the trees.
"What!" cried he, "shall this insignificant
little maiden be allowed to scorn me and my
most beautiful orchard! I will catch her and
take her away by force!"
Just as he was speaking, the little Nymph
went flitting by, so he ran after her.
At first, as she sped lightly forward, she shook
her curls and smiled archly back at him. But
when she grew tired and saw that he was still
pursuing her with furious looks, as a hunter
chases the trembling Deer, her steps faltered, and
stretching out her arms, she cried in terror: —
"O ye Nymphs and Naiads, save me! Save
me!"
Then Vertumnus put out his hand to seize her,
but, lo! she vanished from his sight! She was
gone! and where she had stood grew up a splen-
did dancing flower — a gorgeous Tulip clad in a
striped red and yellow vest. There it stood sway-
ing and nodding on its tall stem, and waving its
long green leaves like arms.
So every year, in the early Springtime, the
little Nymph Tulip dances in the garden-bed,
all dressed in Autumn colours, her favourite red
and yellow. But sometimes she puts on pink,
white, or violet to please the children.
HYACINTH
Retold from Ovid
ONCE when the golden-beamed Apollo roamed
the earth, he made a companion of Hyacinth,
the son of King Amyclas of Lacedaemon; and him
he loved with an exceeding great love* for the lad
was beautiful beyond compare.
So Apollo threw aside his lyre, and became
the daily comrade of Hyacinth. Often they
played games, or climbed the rugged mountain
ridges. Together they followed the chase, or
fished in the quiet and shadowy pools; and
Apollo, unmindful of his dignity, carried the
lad's nets and held his Dogs.
It happened on a day that the two friends
stripped off their garments, rubbed the juice of
the olive upon their bodies, and engaged in
throwing the quoit.
First Apollo poised it and tossed it far. It
cleaved the air with its weight, and fell heavily
to earth. At that moment Hyacinth ran for-
ward and hastened to take up the disc, but the
hard earth sent it rebounding straight into his
face, so that he fell wounded to the ground.
Ah! then, pale and fearful, Apollo hastened to
the side of his fallen friend. He bore up the lad's
sinking limbs, and strove to stanch his wound
HYACINTH 15
with healing herbs. All in vain! Alas! the
wound would not close. And as Violets and
Lilies, when their stems are crushed, hang their
languid blossoms on their stalks and wither
away, so did Hyacinth droop his beautiful head
and die.
Then Apollo, full of grief, cried aloud in his
anguish :
"O Beloved! You have fallen in your early
youth, and I alone am the cause of your destruc-
tion! Oh, that I could give my life for you!
But since Fate will not permit this, you shall
ever be with me, and your praise shall dwell on
my lips. My lyre struck with my hand, my
songs, too, shall celebrate you! And you, dear
lad, shall become a new flower, and on your
leaves will I write my lamentations."
And even as Apollo spoke, behold! the blood
that had flowed from Hyacinth's wound stained
the grass, and a flower, like a Lily in shape,
sprang up, more bright than Tyrian purple. On
its leaves did Apollo inscribe the mournful char-
acters: "ai, ai," which mean "alas! alas!"
And as oft as the Spring drives away the
^Yinter, so oft does Hyacinth blossom in the
fresh, green grass.
ECHO AND NARCISSUS
Retold from Ovid
LONG ago, in the ancient world, there was born
to the blue-eyed Nymph Liriope a beautiful boy,
whom she called Narcissus. An oracle foretold at
his birth that he should be happy and live to a
good old age if he "never saw himself." As this
prophecy seemed ridiculous, his mother soon for-
got all about it.
Narcissus grew to be a stately, handsome
youth. His limbs were firm and straight. Curls
clustered about his white brow, and his eyes
shone like two Stars. He loved to wander among
the meadow flowers and in the pathless wood-
land. But he disdained his playmates, and
would not listen to their entreaties to join in
their games. His heart was cold, and in it was
neither hate nor love. He lived indifferent to
youth or maid, to friend or foe.
Now, in the forest near by dwelt a Nymph
named Echo. She had been a handmaiden of
Juno, Queen of all the Dwellers-on-Mount-Olym-
pus. But though the Nymph was beautiful of
face, she was not loved. She had a noisy tongue.
She told lies and whispered slanders, and en-
couraged the other Nymphs in many misdoings.
So when Juno perceived all this, she ordered the
ECHO AND NARCISSUS 17
troublesome Nymph away from her court, and
banished her to the wildwood, bidding her never
speak again except in imitation of other peoples'
words.
So Echo dwelt in the woods, and forever
mocked the words of youths and maidens.
One day as Narcissus was wandering alone in
the pathless forest, Echo, peeping from behind
a tree, saw his beauty; and as she gazed her
heart was touched with love. Stealthily she
followed his footsteps, and often she tried to call
to him with endearing words; but she could not
speak, for she no longer had a voice of her own.
At last Narcissus heard the sound of breaking
branches, and cried out, "Is there any one here?"
And Echo answered softly, "Here!"
Narcissus, amazed, looking about on all sides
and seeing no one, cried, "Come!"
And Echo answered, "Come!"
Narcissus cried again: "Who are you? "Whom
seek you?"
And Echo answered, "You!"
Then rushing from among the trees she tried
to throw her arms about his neck, but Narcissus
fled through the forest, crying: —
"Away ! away ! I will die before I love you ! "
And Echo answered mournfully, "I love
you!"
Thus rejected, she hid among the trees, and
buried her blushing face in the green leaves.
18 THE WONDER GARDEN
She pined and pined, until her body wasted
quite away, and nothing but her voice was left.
And some say that even to this day her voice
lives in lonely caves, and answers men's words
from afar.
Now, when Narcissus fled from Echo, he came
to a clear spring, like silver. Its waters were un-
sullied, for neither Goats feeding upon the moun-
tains nor any other cattle had drunk from it,
nor had wild beasts or birds disturbed it, nor had
branch or leaf fallen into its calm waters. The
trees bent above and shaded it from the hot sun,
and the soft, green grass grew on its margin.
Here Narcissus, fatigued and thirsty after his
flight, laid himself down beside the spring to
drink. He gazed into the mirror-like water, and
saw himself reflected in its tide. He knew not
that it was his own image, but thought that he
saw a youth living in the spring.
He gazed on two eyes like Stars, on graceful
slender fingers, on clustering curls worthy of
Apollo, on a mouth arched like Cupid's bow, on
blushing cheeks and ivory neck. And as he
gazed his cold heart grew warm, and love for this
beautiful reflection rose up and filled his soul.
He rained kisses on the deceitful stream. He
thrust his arms into the water, and strove to
grasp the image by the neck, but it fled away.
Again he kissed the stream, but the image mocked
his love.
ECHO AND NARCISSUS 19
All day and all night, lying there without food
or drink, he continued to gaze into the water.
Then raising himself, he stretched out his arms
to the trees about him, and cried: —
"Did ever, O ye Woods, one love as much as I!
Have ye ever seen a lover thus pine for the sake
of unrequited affection?"
Then turning once more, Narcissus addressed
his reflection in the limpid stream : —
"Why, dear youth, do you flee away from me?
Neither a vast sea, nor a long way, nor a great
mountain separates us! only a little water keeps
us apart! Why, dear lad, do you deceive me,
and whither do you go when I try to grasp you?
You encourage me with friendly looks. When I
extend my arms, you extend yours; when I smile
you smile in return; when I weep, you weep;
but when I try to clasp you beneath the stream,
you shun me and flee away! Grief is taking my
strength, and my life will soon be over! In my
early days am I cut off, nor is Death grievous
to me, now that he is about to remove my
sorrows!"
Thus mourned Narcissus, lying beside the
woodland spring. He disturbed the water with
his tears, and made the woods to resound with
his sighs. And as the yellow wax is melted by
the Fire, or the Hoar Frost is consumed by the
heat of the Sun, so did Narcissus pine away, his
body wasting by degrees.
20 THE WONDER GARDEN
Often he sighed, "Alas!"
And the grieving Echo from the wood an-
swered, "Alas!"
With his last breath he looked into the water
and sighed, "Ah, Youth Beloved, farewell!"
And Echo sighed, "Farewell!"
So Narcissus, laying his weary head upon the
grass, closed his eyes forever. The Water Nymph
wept for him, and the Wood Dryads lamented
him, and Echo resounded their mourning.
But when they sought his body it had van-
ished away, and in its stead had grown up by
the brink of the stream a little flower, with silver
leaves and golden heart, — and thus was born
to earth the woodland flower, Narcissus.
CLYTIE, THE HELIOTROPE
Retold from Ovid
THERE was once a Nymph named Clytie, who
gazed ever at Apollo as he drove his sun-chariot
through the heavens. She watched him as he
rose in the east attended by Aurora, the rosy-
fingered child of Dawn, and by the dancing
Hours. She gazed as he ascended the heavens,
urging his steeds still higher in the fierce heat
of the noonday. She looked with wonder as at
evening he guided his steeds downward to their
many-coloured pastures under the western sky,
where they fed all night on ambrosia.
Apollo saw not Clytie. He had no thought for
her, but he shed his brightest beams upon her
sister, the white Nymph Leucothoe. And when
Clytie perceived this she was filled with envy
and grief.
Night and day she sat on the bare ground weep-
ing. For nine days and nine nights she never
raised herself from the earth, nor did she take
food or drink; but ever she turned her weeping
eyes toward Apollo as he moved through the sky.
And her limbs became rooted to the ground.
Green leaves enfolded her body. Her beautiful
face was concealed by tiny flowers, violet-
coloured and sweet with perfume.
22 THE WONDER GARDEN
Thus was she changed into a flower, and her
roots held her fast to the ground; but ever she
turned her blossom-covered face toward the Sun,
following with eager gaze his daily flight. In
vain were her sorrow and tears, for Apollo
regarded her not.
And so through the ages has the Nymph
turned her dew- washed face toward the heavens;
and men no longer call her Clytie, but Sun-
flower-Heliotrope.
PANSY-BOY
Retold from Pindar
ONCE upon a time, there was loud weeping in
the stately palace-hall of King Aipytos of Ar-
cady. Every one was running to and fro among
the golden pillars, searching for something. The
little boy, just five days old, the son of Euadne-
of-Tresses-Iris-Dark, was lost.
"The little one must be found," said King
Aipytos. "He is a wonder-child, and, when he
grows up, will be the wisest youth in Arcady."
So they searched night and day.
At last they found him hidden in a thicket,
and lying on a cloak of scarlet web. He was
cooing and laughing, and kicking his tiny feet.
His mouth was smeared with honey, while on
either side of him sat a green-eyed Serpent hold-
ing to his lips a leaf filled with fragrant honey.
And scattered over him, and under him, and
all around him, were Pansies — great golden
and purple gleaming Pansy-flowers, like a light
bright blanket.
So they carried him home, and named him
Pansy.
And when Pansy-Boy grew up, he was the
wisest youth in Arcady.
THE BAD POPPY-SEEDS
Bengali Legend
ONCE upon a time, long, long ago, there lived
on the bank of the Ganges an old Magician.
One day a little Mouse was born in his hut of
palm-leaves. He made a great pet of her. In-
deed, by his magic arts she was able to speak
like a human being.
When she grew older, she was discontented
and unhappy; so the Magician transformed her
into a Cat. Still she was not happy, so he
changed her into a Dog. But as she continued
to be discontented, he next made her into an
Ape, then into a Boar. But when she kept on
bothering him with complaints, he finally trans-
formed her into a beautiful, fascinating maiden,
and called her Poppy-Seed.
One day while she was watering her flowers
the "King passed by and saw her. He immediately
asked her hand in marriage, and made her his
Queen.
All went well, until it chanced that Queen
Poppy-Seed was standing by a well, and, be-
coming giddy, fell in and was drowned. The
King was inconsolable, and sent for the Magician.
"I cannot bring her back to you," said the
THE BAD POPPY-SEEDS 25
Magician, "but fill up the well with earth, and
see what you shall see."
So they filled up the well with earth, and out
of it grew a tall plant bearing one single bright
red Poppy.
And that is how Poppies first came. And that
is why the seed of the Poppy makes people as
mischievous as a Mouse, as fond of milk as a
Cat, as quarrelsome as a Dog, as filthy as an Ape,
as savage as a Boar, and as high-tempered as a
Queen.
And when you pick Poppies and put them in
water, they soon hang their heavy heads for
shame, because of all the doings of the bad
Poppy-Seeds.
THE MIGNONETTE FAIRY
Old French Tale
ONCE upon a time, there was a young girl who was
most unhappy. She was so ugly to look at that
she thought no one loved her. So she shut her-
self up in her room, and wept.
While she was feeling very sad, an old woman
suddenly appeared before her.
"My child," said she, "why are you weeping?"
"Because," sobbed the young girl, "I long to
be beautiful, so that every one will love me."
Then the Fairy — for it was a Fairy — said: —
"If you will do just as I tell you for a year,
your wish shall be granted. Go out into the
world, and never let an hour pass without doing
something to make others happier. And do not
look in a mirror until I come again."
Then the Fairy vanished, and where she had
been standing was a flower-pot in which grew
a little green plant.
Now the little green plant was not beautiful
at all. It had very plain little flowers that were
just spikes of green and red; but it gave out
the most delicious fragrance.
When the young girl saw the plant, she cried
out: —
"Oh, you little darling!"
THE MIGNONETTE FAIRY 27
Then she set the pot carefully on the window-
sill, and watered the flowers. After that she
started out to do the Fairy's bidding, and make
others happier.
Day after day she went about, showing kind-
ness to every one, young or old; and she forgot
all about her looks.
The year passed by so quickly that she did
not know it was gone. One day, while she was
watering her little plant that had grown all over
the window-sill, the Fairy suddenly stood before
her.
She held a mirror in front of her and said : —
"Look!"
The young girl looked, and could not believe
that it was her own face gazing at her. Her
eyes, that had been dim with weeping, were clear
and sparkling, her cheeks were rosy, her mouth
wTas wreathed with smiles. She was beautiful.
The Fairy smiled, and said : —
"You have filled your heart with such beau-
tiful thoughts, and your life with such beautiful
deeds, that a beautiful soul shines in your face.
"As a reward, you shall be like the plant I
left with you; wherever you go, you shall shed
around you the sweetest fragrance."
At that the Fairy vanished; and ever since
then the plant has been called Mignonette,
which means Little Darling.
Katherine M. Beds (Adapted)
LEGEND OF THE HEART'S EASE
Old Legend
ONCE upon a time, Pansies had the most delicious
perfume. Indeed, they smelled sweeter than
the scented March Violets. They sprang up all
over the fields among the Corn and other vege-
tables, just as wild-flowers do.
And because Pansies breathed such delicious
perfume, and looked so beautiful turning up
their purple and golden faces toward the Sun,
every child who passed by stopped and picked
a handful. So the Corn and other vegetables
were trampled down and ruined.
This grieved the little Pansies very much
for they had kind and loving hearts.
"Oh!" they sobbed, "how gladly would we
give away our sweetness to save all the growing
plants around us!"
And they wept so hard and sorrowed so much,
that they lost their rich perfume. They no
longer sprang up wild all over the fields, but
grew only in flower-beds.
So, that is why the children find their purple
and golden faces growing in flower-gardens and
window-boxes.
THE DRAGON SIN
Sussex Legend
ONCE upon a time, in ancient days, a fearful
Dragon inhabited a certain forest. No one had
the courage to subdue him, for his name was Sin.
No knight, who ventured into the forest, was
strong enough of himself to overcome the
monster; and neither sword nor spear could
harm him.
It chanced one day that the brave young
warrior, Saint Leonard, was riding through the
forest. He saw the Dragon Sin stretching out
his hideous scaly length to prevent his passing
by. Down from his horse the good Saint leaped,
and crushed the monster in his arms.
Then backward and forward they struggled,
the Dragon tearing Saint Leonard's flesh with
his sharp claws. For three nights and three
days, they wrestled thus together, then on the
fourth day the Saint, breathing a prayer for
help, drove the monster before him into the
inner recesses of the forest.
And there the Dragon Sin stayed, skulking
in the darkness; and he never ventured out again
to attack the good young warrior.
Now as soon as Saint Leonard had conquered
the Dragon, there was seen a wonder. Over the
30 THE WONDER GARDEN
forest-ground were sprinkled drops of the Saint's
blood, shed from his wounds. From them sprang
up a host of Lilies-of -the- Valley, like a holy white
carpet.
Then all the little Lilies softly chimed their
scented bells in honour of Saint Leonard's vic-
tory for God.
THE CUP OF THANKSGIVING
Hebrew Fable
THERE was once a good man who was pacing up
and down his garden. He was thinking sadly;
and, as he paused before a Rose-bush, he thought
these words aloud: —
"Alas! How my enemies hate me! They
surround me on every side! Oh, that God would
pity me, and put an end to my miseries!"
Then the Rose-bush spoke to him thus: —
"Look at me. Am I not a beautiful plant?
Each of my blossoms is a Cup of Thanksgiving
to the Lord, an offering of sweetest incense unto
Him.
"Now, where do you find me? Surrounded
with thorns! But they do not sting me. They
protect me and give me sap. This your enemies
do for you. They make you more perfectly to
turn to Him, and they cause you to keep your
spirit courageous and more beautiful than a
frail flower."
So spoke the Rose-bush.
The good Man listened reverently, and went
home comforted; for his Soul was become a Cup
of Thanksgiving for his enemies.
THE BEAUTY OF THE LILY
Easter Tale
ONCE upon a time, in a far-distant land, there
dwelt a peasant named Ivan, and with him lived
his little nephew Vasily.
Ivan was gloomy and unkempt, and his rest-
less eyes looked out from his matted hair and
beard. As for the little Vasily, he was a manly
child; but though his uncle was kind enough to
him in his way, he neither washed him, nor
combed his hair, nor taught him anything.
The hut they lived in was very miserable. Its
walls were full of holes, the furniture of its one
room was broken down and dusty, and its floor
unswept. The little garden was filled with
stones and weeds. The neighbours passing by
in the daytime turned aside their heads. But
they never passed at night, for fear of Ivan.
Now it happened one Easter morning that
Ivan, feeling restless, rose early and went and
stood before the door of the hut. The trees were
budding, the air was full of bird-songs, the dew
lay glittering on the grass, and a near-by brook
ran leaping and gurgling along. The rays of the
rising Sun shone slanting from the tops of the
distant hills, and seemed to touch the hut.
And as Ivan looked, he saw a young man com-
THE BEAUTY OF THE LILY 33
ing swiftly and lightly from the hills, and he
bore on his arm a sheaf of pure white Lilies.
The stranger drew near, and stopped before the
hut.
"Christ is risen!" he said in flute-like tones.
"He is risen indeed!" muttered Ivan through
his beard.
Then the young man took a Lily from his
sheaf and gave it to Ivan, saying: —
"Keep it white!" And, smiling, he passed on.
Wonderingly Ivan gazed at the flower in his
hand. Its gold-green stem seemed to support a
pure white crown, — or was it a translucent cup
filled with light! And as the man looked into
the flower's gold-fringed heart, awe stole into his
soul.
Then he turned and entered the hut, saying
to himself, "I will put it in water."
But when he went to lay the Lily on the win-
dow-sill, so that he might search for a vessel to
set it in, he dared not put it down, for the sill
was covered with thick dust.
He turned to the table, but its top was soiled
with crumbs of mouldy bread and cheese mingled
with dirt. He looked about the room, and not
one spot could he see where he might lay the
Lily without sullying its pure loveliness.
He called the little Vasily, and bade him stand
and hold the flower. He then searched for some-
thing to put it in. He found an empty bottle,
34 THE WONDER GARDEN
which he carried to the brook and washed and
filled with sparkling water. This he placed upon
the table, and in it set the Lily.
Then as he looked at the begrimed hands of
little Vasily he thought to himself, "When I
leave the room he may touch the flower and soil
it." So he took the child and washed him, and
combed his yellow hair; and the little one seemed
to bloom like the Lily itself. And Ivan gazed
on him in amazement, murmuring, "I never
saw it thus before!"
From that hour a change came over Ivan.
He cared tenderly for the little Vasily. He
washed himself and combed his own hair. He
cleaned the hut and mended its walls and furni-
ture. He carried away the weeds and stones
from the garden. He sowed flowers and planted
vegetables. And the neighbours passing by no
longer turned their heads aside, but stopping
talked with Ivan, and sometimes gave the little
Vasily presents of clothes and toys.
As for the Lily, seven days it blossomed in
freshness and beauty, and gave forth a delicate
fragrance; but on the eighth day, when Ivan
and Vasily woke, it was gone. And though they
sought it in hut and garden, they did not find it.
So Ivan and the little Vasily worked from day
to day among their flowers and vegetables, and
talked to their neighbours, and were happy.
When the long winter nights came, Ivan read
THE BEAUTY OF THE LILY 35
aloud about the Lilies of the Field, that toil not,
neither do they spin, yet Solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like them. He read of that Be-
loved that feedeth among the Lilies, and of the
Rose of Sharon and the Lily-of -the- Valley.
So Easter came again. And early, very early
in the morning, Ivan and the little Vasily arose
and dressed, and went and stood before the hut.
And when the splendour of the coming day shone
above the distant hills, lo! the young man came
swiftly and lightly, and in his arms he bore
crimson Roses.
He drew near, and, stopping before the hut,
said sweetly: —
"Christ is risen!"
"He is risen, indeed!" responded Ivan and
Vasily joyously.
"How beautiful is thy Lily!" said the young
man.
"Alas!" answered Ivan, "it is vanished away,
and we know not whither."
"Its beauty lives in thy heart," said the young
man. "It can never die!"
And he took from his arm a crimson Rose and
gave it to Vasily, saying: —
"Keep it fresh!"
But he smiled tenderly at Ivan, and passed on.
THE CHRISTMAS THORN OF
GLASTONBURY
A Legend of Ancient Britain
Retold from William of Malmesbury
and Other Sources
THERE is a golden Christmas legend that relates
how Joseph of Arimathea — the good man and
just, who laid our Lord in his own sepulchre, —
was persecuted by Pontius Pilate, and how he
fled from Jerusalem carrying with him the
Holy Grail hidden beneath a cloth of samite,
mystical and white.
For many moons he wandered, leaning on his
staff cut from a White-Thorn bush. He passed
over raging seas and dreary wastes, he wandered
through trackless forests, climbed rugged moun-
tains, and forded many floods. At last he came
to Gaul where the Apostle Philip was preaching
the glad tidings to the heathen. And there he
abode for a little space.
Now, upon a night while Joseph lay asleep in
his hut, he was wakened by a radiant light. And
as he gazed with wondering eyes he saw an Angel
standing by his couch, wrapped in a cloud of
incense.
"Joseph of Arimathea," said the Angel, "cross
thou over into Britain and preach the glad tidings
THE CHRISTMAS THORN 37
to King Arvigarus. And there, where a Christ-
mas miracle shall come to pass, do thou build
the first Christian church in that land."
And while Joseph lay perplexed and wondering
in his heart what answer he should make, the
Angel vanished from his sight.
Then Joseph left his hut and calling the
Apostle Philip, gave him the Angel's message.
And, when morning dawned, Philip sent him on
his way, accompanied by eleven chosen followers.
To the water's side they went, and embarking in
a little ship, came unto the coasts of Britain.
There they were met by the heathen, who
carried them before Arvigarus their King. To
him and to his people did Joseph of Arimathea
preach the glad tidings; but the King's heart,
though moved, was not convinced. Never-
theless he gave to Joseph and his followers,
Avalon, the happy isle, the Isle of the Blessed,
and bade them depart straightway, and build
there an altar to their God.
And a wonderful gift was this same Avalon,
sometimes called the Island of Apples, and also
known to the people of the land as Ynis-witren,
the Isle of Glassy Waters.
Beautiful and peaceful was it. Deep it lay in
the midst of a green valley, and the balmy breezes
fanned its apple orchards, and scattered afar the
sweet fragrance of rosy blossoms or ripened
fruit. Soft grew the green grass beneath the
85879
38 THE WONDER GARDEN
feet. The smooth waves gently lapped the shore,
and Water-Lilies floated on the surface of the
tide, while in the blue sky above sailed the fleecy
clouds.
And it was on the holy Christmas Eve that
Joseph and his companions reached the Isle of
Avalon. With them they carried the Holy Grail
hidden beneath its cloth of snow-white samite.
Heavily they toiled up the steep ascent of the
hill called Weary- All. And when they reached
the top Joseph thrust his Thorn-Staff into the
ground.
And, lo! a miracle! the Thorn-Staff put forth
roots, sprouted, and budded, and burst into a
mass of white and fragrant flowers! And on the
spot where the Thorn bloomed, there Joseph
built the first Christian church in Britain. And
he made it "wattled all round" of osiers gathered
from the water's edge. And in the chapel they
placed the Holy Grail.
And so, it is said, ever since at Glastonbury
Abbey — the name by which that Avalon is
known to-day — on Christmas Eve the White-
Thorn buds and blooms.
FORGET-ME-NOT!
Legend of Paradise
THESE is a sweet old legend that relates how on
the green mead of Paradise there bloomed a
little plant with clusters of blossoms white like
driven-snow, and with tiny golden eyes.
All the other flowers of the mead had names,
but the white plant had none. Adam had named
them all, and given them their colours; but he
had forgotten the little white plant. And when
it saw that it was overlooked, it timidly lifted
up its head, and cried: —
"Forget me not!"
All the other flowers of the mead were amazed
at their little sister's daring, and the little white
one trembled, but looked bravely up, and cried
again : —
"Forget me not!"
Then — lo! — its snow-white blossoms were
changed! They became bright blue like the
sky, while all its tiny eyes were like gold stars
set in the blue!
And ever since that day the children have
called the timid little plant, "Forget-Me-Not"!
THE MAIDEN OF THE WHITE
CAMELLIAS
Japanese Myth
IT happened that in a village, not far from the
foot of Mount Fuji, there once lived a poor lad
named Yosoji. His father was dead, but his
mother was still living, though she was very old
and feeble. Yosoji's one thought was of his
mother, and he worked hard and cheerfully from
early morning until late evening to earn Rice
and clothes for her. And in the night he did the
work of the house, so that she should not get
tired.
One Spring a terrible sickness came to the
village, and many of the people caught the
disease, among them Yosoji's old mother. Hour
by hour she grew worse, until Yosoji thought
her dying. Then his heart seemed breaking
with sorrow, and he rushed from the house to
find help. He remembered how the old folk of
the village had often said that there was a hidden,
health-giving spring of water on Fujiyama, so he
ran to the mountain and began to ascend it.
Eagerly he climbed, forcing the bushes apart
with his hands, so that the rosy-white petals of
a hundred blossoms fell upon him, but he did not
see them. The birds sang to him from the trees,
MAIDEN OF THE CAMELLIAS 41
but he did not hear them; for he was climbing
breathlessly upward, thinking only of how to
save his mother.
At last he reached a spot where three paths
crossed, and stopped to consider which to take.
As he did so, a lovely maiden stepped from the
forest. She was clad in glistening white, and
her long dark hair fell around her. In her hand
she carried a branch of waxen-white Camellias.
"Yosoji," said the maiden, smiling sweetly.
"Come, follow me to the spring from which
gushes the Elixir of Life."
And turning, she waved her branch of Camel-
lias for him to follow. He did so eagerly and full
of wonder; and soon he found himself beside a
rock from which gushed a crystal stream tinkling
softly like a thousand silver bells.
"Take this gourd, Yosoji," said the maiden,
"fill and drink. Then fill again, and carry the
gourd home to your mother."
Wondering still more, Yosoji bent over the
spring, and filled the gourd. As he touched the
sparkling liquid to his lips he felt new life cours-
ing through his veins, and his sorrow and fatigue
fell from him like an old garment.
He rose up joyful, and stronger than ever
before. Then the maiden led him back to the
spot where he had met her.
"Farewell, 0 Yosoji, loving son of a good
mother," said she, smiling. "After three days
42 THE WONDER GARDEN
return here again, for you will need more of the
precious water."
Having thanked her with many grateful words,
Yosoji hastened down the mountain-side, and
soon stood by his mother's bed. He put the
gourd to her lips, and she fell into a calm and
health-giving sleep. And when morning came
she got up as well and brisk as she had been in
her youth.
Three days passed by, and Yosoji returned to
the mountain, and climbed to the spot where
the three paths crossed. The lovely maiden met
him, as before, and, smiling, led the way to the
spring, where he again filled his gourd. Thanking
her, he hastened to the village. He gave the
water to some of the sick people to drink, and
cured them.
Five times, in this wise, did Yosoji visit the
hidden spring on Mount Fuji, and, guided by
the maiden, fetched more of the Elixir of Life,
and so cured all the sick in his village. Then
the people began to praise Yosoji, and his fame
spread to distant lands. People brought him
gifts, and wherever he went they bowed before
him.
But he was not happy. He knew that all the
praise and thanks belonged to the maiden who
had been his guide. He wished greatly to see
her and thank her for what she had done.
So early one morning he set out for Mount
MAIDEN OF THE CAMELLIAS 43
Fuji, carrying gifts to please the maiden. He
climbed the mountain, and reached the spot
where the three paths crossed. But though he
waited long, the maiden did not come. At last,
disappointed, he followed the path to the spring,
and, on reaching the rock, found that the water
no longer gushed from it. The spring was dried
up, and only a few drops trickled down the face
of the rock.
Then while he stood looking sorrowfully about,
he saw the lovely maiden herself standing near
him. She was more beautiful than ever. Her
dark hair floated around her like a cloud; her
robe glistened like Snow in the sunlight; her eyes
smiled more sweetly than ever; while the branch
of Camellias in her hand gave out a subtle and
delicious perfume.
Seeing her thus, Yosoji uttered a cry of delight,
and sprang forward to lay his gifts at her feet.
But the maiden gently waved her branch of
Camellias, and a soft, rosy cloud descended from
the very top of Mount Fuji, and, enveloping her,
floated back to the top again.
Then Yosoji knew that his lovely guide was
none other than the Fairy Maiden of the "Never-
Dying Mountain," who had taken compassion
upon him, and had saved his mother.
And while he gazed upward with rapture, the
branch of Camellias, giving out its delicious
perfume, fell at his feet.
PRINCESS PEONY
Japanese Tale
IN the long, long ago lived the Princess Aya.
She was betrothed to the son of the great Lord
of Ako, and the wedding day was set. "While the
plans were being made for the marriage feast,
the Princess lived in her father's ancient castle.
She loved to walk on moonlit nights in the
garden of the castle. She often wandered along
the silvery paths, crossed the tiny bridges over
singing cascades, and rested by a clear blue lake,
near the margin of which grew beds of many
lovely, fragrant flowers. But above all, the
Princess loved the sweet-scented Peonies; and
when the moon flooded the Peony-bed with its
white beams, she lingered long near her favourite
flowers.
It chanced one evening that the Princess was
stooping over the Peonies to breathe then- fra-
grance, when her foot slipped. Immediately a
handsome young man, in a robe embroidered
with Peonies, rose from among the flowers and
caught her in his arms. He set her safely on her
feet, then vanished as mysteriously as he had
appeared.
The Princess's maids were bewildered. Who
could he be, they asked, and how had he passed
PRINCESS PEONY 45
the guard and entered the garden. As for the
Princess she was very sad. She longed to see
the young man, and thank him for having saved
her from falling. She forbade her maids to tell
any one what they had seen. They then returned
to the castle.
The next morning the Princess was sick. She
could not sleep or eat. Day by day she grew
worse. The best of physicians could do her no
good, nor discover the cause of her strange ill-
ness. At last her father sent for one of her maids,
and questioned her closely. She admitted that
some days before the Princess had slipped by the
Peony-bed, and had been rescued by a handsome
young man, who had vanished as wonderfully
as he had come.
That evening, the weather being very hot,
her father had the Princess carried into the gar-
den and a musician summoned to amuse her.
Scarcely had the musician begun to play when
there rose up from behind the Peonies the same
young man, in his Peony-embroidered robe. As
soon as the music stopped, he vanished. The
Princess's father had the flower-bed searched,
but there were no signs of any one having dis-
turbed the Peonies.
So it happened again the second night.
On the third night, the Princess's father sta-
tioned a guard hidden near the Peony-bed. As
soon as the music began, the young man sud-
46 THE WONDER GARDEN
denly appeared, and stood motionless among the
flowers. Then the captain of the guard sprang
forward and seized the youth around the waist.
Instantly a warm steam filled the captain's
face, and still grasping the youth, he fell fainting
to the ground. The guard hurried to assist him,
and as they raised him to his feet, behold, they
saw that, instead of grasping the young man, he
was holding a large and brilliant Peony! ^
Every one was amazed, and the Princess car-
ried the Peony back to her room. She put it
tenderly into a vase of water, and placed it near
her pillow. It seemed to have a strange effect
upon her. Day by day she grew better, and
more beautiful than ever. She cared for the
Peony herself, and the flower became fresher
instead of fading. For several weeks it remained
strong and blooming.
At last the Princess's wedding-day arrived.
The marriage was celebrated, and immediately
afterward she found the Peony no longer brilliant
and fresh, but dead and drooping its once bright
head.
And from that day people called her Princess
Peony.
THE CHRYSANTHEMUM CHILDREN
Japanese Tale
IN ancient days, in Japan, a powerful noble was
overthrown in battle, and fled for safety. His
faithful servitor, Kikuo, went with him. They
sought refuge among the mountains, where they
lived in a small house surrounded by a garden.
Kikuo dearly loved his master, and endeav-
oured to comfort him in every way, in order to
make him forget his troubles. Knowing that he
loved Chrysanthemums, Kikuo planted a large
bed of the flowers. His master was much pleased,
but continued to grieve over his losses until he
fell sick and died.
Kikuo wept night and day over the humble
grave. Then, determining to make it beautiful,
he began to plant and tend a border of Chrysan-
themums of every colour and size. Red, white,
pink, yellow, bronze, and cream-coloured blossoms
made the spot lovely.
At length Kikuo had planted so many and
tended them so carefully that the border was
thirty yards wide, and people came from all over
the country to see the wonderful sight. Every
day Kikuo watered the plants, and dug about
their roots, and stroked the flowers, until he
began to love them tenderly and to grieve
48 THE WONDER GARDEN
whenever a .plant died or was broken by the
wind.
One day Kikuo was taken ill, and feared that
he must die. In the night he heard a rustling
sound upon his veranda, and, looking out, saw
many little children moving about in the moon-
shine. They were light and graceful in move-
ment, and had large heads of curling hair. They
were clad in waving robes of green, embroidered
with red, white, pink, yellow, bronze, and cream-
colour. They were whispering together, and
their voices sounded like sighing breezes.
As Kikuo gazed upon them, he knew they
were not ordinary children. Then three of them,
entering his room, approached his couch.
"Beloved Kikuo," they said, "we are Golden
Dew, White Dragon, and Starlit Night, the
children of the Chrysanthemums that you have
tended so gently. And because of all you have
done for us, we wish to make you well. There-
fore, drink this Chrysanthemum Dew."
And as they spoke they held out flower-cups
filled with sparkling dew-drops. Kikuo took the
cups and drank the Dew, which tasted fragrant
and delicious.
Just at that moment a puff of wind passed
through the room, and the Chrysanthemum
children vanished. Then Kikuo fell asleep, and
when he awoke in the morning he found himself
perfectly well.
CHRYSANTHEMUM CHILDREN 49
From that day forward he devoted all his
time to raising Chrysanthemums, and his garden
was so beautiful that it became famous through-
out Japan, for nowhere else could be found flow-
ers of such wonderful colours and shapes, nor in
any other garden did they grow in such pro-
fusion.
MAIDEN WHITE AND MAIDEN
YELLOW
Japanese Tale
LONG, long ago, in Japan, there grew in a
green meadow two wild Chrysanthemums, called
Maiden White and Maiden Yellow. They were
sisters, and were very happy until one day an
old gardener, who was walking through the
meadow, stooped beside the yellow flower.
"Ah, Maiden Yellow," he said, stroking her
petals, "I will take you with me, and plant you
in my beautiful garden, where you shall have
fine clothes and delicate food to eat."
So, in spite of the tears of poor Maiden White,
who shed many drops of dew, the old gardener
dug up Maiden Yellow by the roots, and carried
her away in his arms.
Soon she found herself growing in his garden
among thousands of lovely flowers. Winding
paths of silver sand led to tiny bridges and
musical cascades, while near by stood a small
tea-house hung with tinkling silver bells. And
Maiden Yellow was so happy that she forgot her
lonely white sister in the green meadow. Her
petals grew longer and more numerous, and
curled. She became straighter, and prouder,
and so beautiful that no one would have
TWO WILD CHRYSANTHEMUMS 51
known her for the wild-flower of the green
meadow.
One day the steward of a very rich noble came
to the garden. His master wished a Chrysanthe-
mum of perfect form having sixteen petals. The
old gardener took him to see Maiden Yellow, and
when she saw him coming she stood even
straighter and prouder than before, and held her
large golden head very high, for she thought,
"Surely he will choose me."
'• But the steward said that she was too proud
and had too many petals, and that he wished a
perfect flower, simple and graceful; so thanking
the gardener, he departed.
As he was returning to his master's castle, he
happened to pass through the green meadow
where Maiden WTiite stood weeping in her
loneliness. And when he saw her perfect form
and her sixteen snow-white petals, he was de-
lighted, and, picking her carefully, carried her
to the castle.
When his master, the rich noble, saw Maiden
White, he placed her in a transparent vase.
Then sending throughout Japan, he summoned
the greatest artists to his castle. They came
from far and near, and sat down to paint the
noble's crest.
And for this crest they used Maiden White's
beautiful face in a hundred graceful poses. They
painted her on the noble's armour, on his lacquer
52 THE WONDER GARDEN
boxes, and on the great panels of his hall. She
was embroidered on his robes, on his cushions,
and on his quilts. Everywhere her lovely face
appeared; and the noble's crest became the most
admired of all crests in the land of Japan.
As for Maiden Yellow, she continued to bloom
for some time in the garden among the other
flowers. She grew for herself alone. Daily she
became more proud and stately, and drank up
the fragrant Dew.
But one day she felt stiff and dry. Her once
bright head turned brown and sere. And when
the old gardener found her thus, he cut her down
and threw her upon the rubbish heap.
IN THE ROSE-BOWER WITH THE
ROSE QUEEN
QUEEN ROSE
/ will not have the mad Clytie
Whose head is turn'd by the Sun;
The Tulip is a courtly quean,
Whom therefore I wiU shun;
The Cowslip is a country wench;
The Violet is a nun; —
But I will woo the dainty Rose,
The Queen of every one I
THOMAS HOOD
CUPID IN THE WILD-ROSE HEART
Then came we to great breadths of shady wood,
And him, the boy, the son of Venus fair,
The apple-rosy Love, we found within.
No arrow-bearing quiver, no bent bow
Was by him. High in heavy foliaged trees
They hung. And he, the while, lay chained in sleep,
Embosomed in a Rose's heart of hearts!
And sleeping, smiled.
And att around his head,
And all around his honey-dripping lips,
Murmured the yellow Workers of the Hive !
PLATO
ADVENTURES OF CUPID AMONG
THE ROSES
Retold from Anacreon, Moschus, Lucian, and
Other Sources
NAUGHTY LITTLE CUPID
THE most mischievous of all the dwellers in
Jupiter's shining Palace on Mount Olympus was
little Cupid. Rosy, dimpled, and laughing, with
bright hair floating around his shoulders, and
small wings fluttering, he flew about, shooting
tiny darts at all whom he met. And whoever
felt the prick of one of his darts straightway fell
in love.
The naughty little boy did not spare even the
greatest among the Dwellers-on-Mount-Olympus.
Laughing with glee, he aimed at the heart of
Jupiter himself; then he turned his bow against
Apollo -of -the -Golden -Beams and grim Pluto,
King of Hades. He even shot a sharp but tender
little dart into the breast of his mother Venus
the Beautiful.
" Naughty boy ! " cried Venus in anger. " Unless
you stop such goings on, I will break your bow
and quiver, or clip your wings."
But Cupid would not listen, and still flew
56 THE WONDER GARDEN
about, slyly shooting at all whom he met. Though
his mother caught him by his small wings, and
whipped him with her sandal and with myrtle
rods, and even bound his eyes with a fillet,
quickly forgetting his punishment, he flew away
again to find other hearts to wound.
n
BED ROSES OF NECTAR
AT first Roses were all white. This is how they
came red: —
Cupid loved the White Roses and played
among them in the meadows of earth, where
they grew large and fragrant. Sometimes he
wreathed them into garlands for his head, some-
times he chased the Butterflies that alighted on
their petals, and sometimes he curled himself up
to sleep in the heart of a big open Rose. Yes,
Cupid loved the WThite Roses better than any
other flowers.
Now it happened one day that all the Dwellers-
on-Mount-Olympus were feasting together, and
Cupid was carrying Jupiter's golden cup filled
with fragrant red Nectar. The naughty boy
held the cup so carelessly that he spilled a few
drops. They fell on some White Roses, and the
flowers immediately foamed up in wreaths of
bright Red Roses.
That is how Red Roses first came.
ROSES OF NECTAR
CUPID AMONG THE ROSES 57
m
HOW PANSIES CAME COLOURED
NEXT to Red and White Roses, Cupid loved the
gleaming purple and golden-faced Pansies. And
this is how they came coloured : —
At first all Pansies were milk-white. So they
were, until one day when Cupid aimed a tiny
dart at Diana-of-the-Bended-Bow.
Now of all the Dwellers-on-Mount-Olympus,
the most stately and cold-hearted was Diana.
She loved nobody, and cared for nothing but
hunting. With her feet thrust in buskins, her
robe tucked up for speed, a quiver on her back,
and a bow in her hand, she rushed over the hills
and through the woods, chasing the flying game;
while behind her ran all her pretty Nymphs
armed with bows and arrows.
So one day naughty Cupid, who wished to
see cold-hearted Diana love somebody, shot a
tiny dart at her. It just grazed her skin, and
falling to earth, struck the heart of a milk-white
Pansy.
Ever since then, Pansies have been stained a
gleaming rich purple and gold.
IV
WHY VENUS LIKED DOVES
BUT Cupid liked to play more than he did to
carry about cups of Nectar. Indeed, he liked to
58 THE WONDER GARDEN
sit on the back of a Dolphin and rush through the
green sea-waves, or to climb trees, or to borrow
Pan's Syrinx and breathe sweet music through
it. But more than all he delighted to play at
soldier, and march around with a helmet on
his golden hair, a pike over his shoulder, and
a buckler on his arm.
Quite often he romped with his mother Venus,
she holding high her bow and quiver, while he
jumped to catch it. Sometimes, too, they took
little baskets and went into the meadows to
gather Roses and yellow Crocuses.
Now, one day Venus took Cupid, and her maid
the little Nymph Peristera, to gather flowers.
Around Venus's head circled a whole host of
chirping Sparrows, and wherever she stepped,
a carpet of bright blossoms sprang up under her
feet.
"Come, my mother," cried Cupid, "let us
make a wager, and see who can pick the most
flowers!"
So they made a wager.
Cupid worked very hard, scratching his tiny
hands on thorns, and bruising his little bare feet
on stones, but at last he had an armful of blos-
soms, all that he could carry. But his mother
Venus had a great many more than he.
Soon Cupid found out why his mother had
so many more — the little Nymph Peristera had
helped her pick them!
CUPID AMONG THE ROSES 59
So he changed the sly little maid into a Dove.
That is why Venus always had Doves as well
as Sparrows flying around her head, and why
she liked to hear them bill and coo.
VENUS'S LOOKING GLASS
Now, Venus had a wonderful mirror that made
any one who gazed into it look beautiful, no
matter how ugly he really was.
One day she lost it in a meadow, and a silly
shepherd-lad, with a frightfully ugly counte-
nance, picked it up. But no sooner did he glance
into it than he appeared so handsome to him-
self that he fell in love with his own looks.
So he kept on gazing and gazing so raptur-
ously that he did not hear Cupid come winging
his way to find his mother's mirror.
When Cupid saw it in the silly man's hands,
and caught a glimpse of the grimaces he was
making at himself in the glass, he snatched it
away, and broke it into a thousand glittering
pieces that fell among the grasses.
And each tiny bit of the mirror became a
lovely bright blossom, bell-shaped, and so bril-
liant that it seemed to reflect the sunbeams.
Cupid called the plant on which these blossoms
grew Venus's Looking Glass; and you may find it in
the flower-garden to-day, standing near the Roses.
60 THE WONDER GARDEN
VI
CUPID'S DARTS
AT first Cupid had only a tiny bow and quiver,
but no darts.
His mother Venus, who dearly loved her little
son in spite of his naughty tricks, wished to give
him a new plaything. So she decided to ask her
husband, Vulcan-the-Smith, to make him some
darts.
Now Vulcan lived in his forge in a cavern
under the roots of Mount ^Etna. There the
flames roared upward and the noise of his ham-
mer, anvil, and bellows was heard night and day.
So Venus, in her car drawn by Doves, flew down
to Mount JStna and entered the cavern. When
Vulcan knew what she wanted, he laid aside the
gold and silver Dogs he was making for King
Alcinous, and fashioned some tiny darts just the
size for Cupid's bow.
Now, Venus did not wish her little son to kill
any one, so she dipped the points of the darts in
honey. But Cupid shyly dipped them in gall.
After that they could wound though they could
not kill.
Then the naughty little boy hung garlands of
fresh Roses around his neck, put a crown of them
on his head, and flew down to earth. There he
wandered about, riding on the back of a fierce
Lion, that at his touch grew as tame as a Dove.
CUPID AMONG THE ROSES 61
As he rode about he shot at every one that
passed by, both young men and maidens. And
whoever felt the prick of his dart straightway
fell in love.
This is why Cupid's darts wound the heart,
but do not slay.
vn
LOST! LOST!
Now while Cupid was riding about on his tame
Lion wounding young men and maidens with
his honey and gall-tipped darts, his mother Venus
missed him from the Shining Palace on Mount
Olympus. Wringing her white hands she ran to
and fro, looking for him everywhere.
"Lost! Lost! My child!" she cried. "To him
who finds my little boy and brings him safely
home, I will give kisses three!
"But let whoever searches for him beware!
Cupid's voice is honey-sweet, while his heart is
full of gall ! Bright are his clustering curls, but a
brighter quiver hangs upon his back. His hands
are tiny, but very far can they shoot his wound-
giving darts. Like a winged bird he flutters up
and down, nestling in the hearts of young men
and maidens. He holds a little bow, and an
arrow ever ready to fly; but most dangerous of
all he grasps a small blazing torch.
"If you find him, catch him, hold him, bind
him! If you see him weep, do not pity him, hold
62 THE WONDER GARDEN
him very fast! If he offers to kiss you, flee, for
his kisses burn like fire!
"Lost! Lost! My child! My child!"
vm
CUPID PUNISHED
THUS cried his mother Venus, and getting into
her car drawn by Doves, she flew down to earth.
There among the Roses she found poor little
Cupid, weeping bitterly.
Wringing his tiny hands, he ran to meet her.
"I'm lost! I'm lost! my mother!" he cried.
" And — oh ! — oh — I 'm dying ! See my finger !
I lay down to sleep in a big Rose-heart, and a
little Snake — a Bee they call it — stung me!
Oh! — oh — how it hurts! — I'm dying!"
"Naughty boy, mischievous child," said his
mother, smiling, "if a Bee's sting hurts you so
much, tell me, how much do the hearts suffer
that you so cruelly wound with your darts?"
IX
WHY ROSES HAVE THORNS
THEN to comfort her little son, Venus caught
all the buzzing Bees that were sipping honey
from the Roses, and strung them on Cupid's
bowstring like a chain of brown and yellow
beads.
CUPID AMONG THE ROSES 63
Then she took the Bees' sharp stings and
placed them along the stem of the very Rose in
whose heart Cupid had been sleeping.
That is why Roses have thorns, — so the
Wonder Story says.
LEGEND OF THE ANEMONE AND
THE ROSE
Retold from Bion and Ovid
ONCE upon a time, in the wonder days of old,
little Cupid, the Winged Love, was playing in
the lap of his mother Venus the Beautiful, and
while he was giving her many sweet kisses, his
arrow chanced to prick her white skin.
Now when Cupid's arrow wounds any one,
even slightly, love enters one's heart. So Venus,
pricked by Cupid's arrow, pushed her little son
away. Then she looked down from her throne
on Mount Olympus, and saw a handsome youth,
named Adonis, hunting in the Idalian Grove of
Cyprus.
Straightway she was charmed with his beauty,
and, getting into her car drawn by white Swans,
descended to the Grove. She took a bow and
arrow in her hand, and joining Adonis, cheered
on his Dogs, and helped him kill swift Hares and
Deer with branching horns.
Day after day together they hunted the harm-
less wild things of the wood. But it happened
one morning that Adonis was going to hunt by
himself.
"Beware, sweet lad," said Venus; "follow only
the gentle wild creatures. Avoid the fierce Boars
THE ANEMONE AND THE ROSE 65
and the ravening Lions, lest they turn and de-
vour you."
Thus she warned him; then getting into her
swan-drawn car, she flew away to Mount
Olympus.
No sooner did Adonis reach the Idalian Grove
than his Dogs started the fiercest Wild Boar of
the wood. It turned upon him with foaming
tusks and rolling eyes. He struck it with his
spear, but it rushed against him, thrusting one
tusk into his side. Then Adonis fell upon the
soft green grass, and sighing died.
The flowers in the Grove withered with pain,
the leaves of the trees rustled with grief, and the
birds ceased singing and drooped their heads.
Swiftly Cupid came, winging his way to the spot
where Adonis lay dead.
And with Cupid were all the little Loves his
companions. They wept, they wrung their tiny
hands, and they hovered and fluttered above
Adonis. One Love broke his feathered arrow,
one cast away his bow and quiver, one loosened
Adonis' sandal, another brought water in a golden
urn and bathed his head, and still another with
his soft wings fanned his white forehead.
Venus heard the sighing and lamenting. She
turned her swan-drawn car, and hastily descended
to the Grove. And when she saw her Adonis
lying dead, she groaned, and beat her bosom,
and tore her crimson robe.
66 THE WONDER GARDEN
And for every drop of blood that fell from
Adonis's side, she shed a tear like a pearl. Then,
lo! as the tears touched the soft grass, they were
changed into wind-blown Anemones! And the
drops of blood grew up into glowing red, red
Roses!
So, says the old Greek wonder tale, Anemones
and Roses came into the World.
THE ROSE-TREE QUEEN
Old Legend
OH, long, long ago there lived a beautiful maiden
named Rhodanthe. She was Queen of Corinth,
and gave her people such wise laws that her
fame spread to many lands. From the east,
from the west, from the south, from the north,
kings, princes, and warriors came to woo her.
But though Rhodanthe was wise and beautiful,
she was proud and cold; so she haughtily bade
her suitors go back at once to their own lands.
This they refused to do, and wandered about
the palace in such great numbers that she com-
manded them all to appear before her throne.
"Oh, ye Kings, Princes and Warriors," said
she, "why do you remain here in idleness? "Are
you cowards that you shun war and valorous
action? Go back at once to your lands and
seek fame in courageous deeds; then may you
return to Corinth."
At these words the suitors hung their heads
with shame, and, hastening from the palace,
mounted their steeds and galloped away — all
except three, who determined to remain and win
Rhodanthe's hand.
Every day these three lovers pressed around
her throne, or shouted in the corridors, or fol-
68 THE WONDER GARDEN
lowed her through the streets clamouring to be
heard.
"No rest shall you have day or night, Queen
Rhodanthe," they cried, "for by day will we
dog your footsteps, and by night will we sigh
under your window. No rest shall you have
until you choose one of us for a husband."
So it was, night and day Rhodanthe had no
rest, for the three followed her everywhere with
cries and shouts.
At length she could endure it no longer, and,
guarded by her attendants, hastened to the
temple of Diana-of-the-Bended-Bow, for she
thought that her suitors would not dare to
enter there.
But scarcely were she and her people safely
inside when the three came bursting in, and,
lifting her up, placed her on Diana's shrine,
crying: —
"Let Rhodanthe be as great as Diana! Let
Diana's image give place to her!"
Now Rhodanthe looked so beautiful as she stood
there, her silken robes trailing, her golden crown
glittering, and her eyes sparkling with pride and
pleasure, that all her attendants shouted : —
"More beautiful than Diana is our Queen!"
Now these words reached Diana's brother,
Apollo-of-the-Golden-Beams, as he was sitting
in his Palace in the Sun. In anger he turned his
scorching rays on Rhodanthe.
THE ROSE-TREE QUEEN 69
Her feet cleaved to the shrine, and took root
there. From her stretched-out arms and finger-
tips sprouted green leaves and twigs. Her body
was changed into a stem and her head became a
large blushing Rose. And there she stood, no
longer a maiden, but a tall, stately Rose-Tree,
the Queen of all flowers.
Her attendants still guarded her, for they had
been transformed into sharp thorns, and were
set round about her stem.
Her three lovers were become a Worm, a Bee,
and a Butterfly.
THE BLUSH-ROSE AND THE SUN
Roumanian Legend
IT was early morning, and a Princess came down
into her garden to bathe in the silver waves of
the sea. The transparent whiteness of her
complexion shone through her blue veil like the
Morning Star through the azure Sky
She sprang into the sea, and played among
the golden rays of the Sun, that sparkled in the
dimples of the laughing waves.
The Sun stood still to gaze upon her. He
forgot his duty. He covered her with warm
kisses.
Once, twice, thrice, Night took up his sceptre,
and returned to rule over the earth, but found
the Sun still there, making all things bright with
his rays.
Then the angry Night changed the Princess
into a Rose. And this is why the Rose always
hangs her head and blushes when the Sun
gazes on her.
HOW MOSS-ROSES CAME
Legend of Paradise *
THERE is a lovely wonder tale of Paradise, tell-
ing how, on a sweet Spring day, the Angel who
takes care of the flowers lay down to rest be-
neath a fragrant Rose-Bush. All the quiet
night she had been sprinkling the grass and
flowers with Dew, so she was very tired. She
rested her head among the Roses, and slept.
When she awoke, she said: —
"Most beautiful of all my children, I thank
you for your refreshing shade and delicious per-
fume. If you could only speak, and ask me for
a favour, how gladly would I grant it!"
"Adorn me with a new charm," said the Rose-
Bush.
So the Angel adorned the Roses with a
delicate veil of green moss.
THE SULTANA OF THE FLOWERS
Persian Tale
AT first the Lotus was Sultana of all the flowers.
But she would fold her petals at night, and sleep.
This the flowers did not like, so they demanded
another Sultana.
The White-Rose was then given them to rule
over their Kingdom. Very beautiful was this
maiden White-Rose. She was tall, majestic,
and robed in snowy garments, while her stem
was encircled with a protecting guard of sharp
thorns.
The poor little Nightingale fell in love with
her charms. He pressed his heart so recklessly
against her cruel thorns that his blood trickled
over her white petals, and stained them crimson.
Are not the petals of the Crimson-Rose white
near her heart, where the blood of the poor
little bird could not reach?
KING SULEYMAN AND THE
NIGHTINGALE
Persian Tale
ONCE upon a time, the birds of every colour and
every kind appeared before King Suleyman's
throne to complain of the Nightingale.
"He disturbs our slumbers," they said, "with
his plaintive warblings. All night long he
presses his breast against a rose-thorn, while he
pours forth his sorrowful melody."
So King Suleyman sent for the Nightingale,
and questioned him.
"Alas! wise King!" sobbed the Nightingale,
"do you not know that at the sound of my voice
the Rose first bursts from her bud? Indeed, it
is my distracting love for her that makes such
melancholy notes gush from my bosom, until,
overpowered by her perfume, I fall swooning at
her feet."
Then King Suleyman, pitying the poor little
bird, commanded him to return to his garden,
and sing whenever he pleased to his Love the
Rose.
THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE
ROSE
Retold from Sadi
ONCE upon a time, in a certain beautiful garden,
a Nightingale had built his nest in the branches
of a Rose-Bush. It so happened that a poor little
Ant had fixed her dwelling at the root of this
very bush, and was managing as best she could
to store her wretched hut with food.
The Nightingale fluttered around the bush,
singing melodiously to his love the full-blown
Rose, while the Ant, night and day, was in-
dustriously gathering up grains of food for
Winter.
So the thousand-voiced bird, fascinated by
his own sweet song that echoed among the trees,
sang ravishingly by day; but when the moon-
light silvered the garden, he whispered his sad,
sweet secrets to his love.
The poor Ant could not help admiring the
airs and graces of the beautiful Rose and the
blandishments of the Nightingale, but she mur-
mured to herself: —
"Time alone can show what will be the end
of all this frivolity and talk."
After the flowery season was passed away,
and the bleak time of Winter was come, sharp
NIGHTINGALE AND THE ROSE 75
thorns alone remained upon the Rose-Bush, for
its flower and leaves were gone. The Raven
sat on the branch where the Nightingale's nest
had been.
Storms howled through the garden in their
fury, and the yellowed leaves of the trees were
whirled to the ground. The breath of Winter
chilled and blasted all things, while the clouds
poured down hailstones like pearls, and flakes
of snow like camphor floated on the air.
Then suddenly the Nightingale returned to
the garden to seek his love. But the bloom of
the Rose was gone, and the fragrance of Spike-
nard was vanished. In spite of his thousand-
voiced tongue, he stood stupefied and mute.
Then a Thorn turned to him, and said : —
"How long, silly bird, will you watch for the
Rose to come back? This is the season when
you will have to sing to a Bramble in the ab-
sence of your charmer!"
The Nightingale cast down his eyes upon the
ground in sorrow, but he perched upon the bush
and waited.
There was nothing for him to eat, and he was
hungry. He was too delicate and helpless to
earn even a small livelihood. Then he recalled
the Ant, and said to himself: —
"Surely she used to have a dwelling under
this Rose-Bush; and she was very busy storing
up food for Winter. I will lay my wants before
76 THE WONDER GARDEN
her. Maybe she will take pity on my distress,
and bestow a little charity upon me."
So, like a poor beggar the half-famished
Nightingale stood at the door of the Ant's house,
and said: —
"Generosity is the bringer of prosperity! I
was wasting my precious life in idleness, while
you, toiling hard, were laying up a hoard of
food. How good and kind you would be if you
should spare me a little of it!"
The Ant replied : —
"Night and day you spent in idle talk, while
I was attending to the needful. You were taken
up with the fair blandishment of the Rose, and
were busy in admiring the blossoming Spring-
time, while I laboured hard.
"Did you not know that every Summer has
its Winter, and every road an end?"
WITH THE SOARING TALKING BIRDS
THE ROBIN
A Welsh Myth
My old Welsh neighbour over the way
Crept slowly out in the sun of Spring,
Pushed from her ears the locks of gray,
And listened to hear the Robins sing.
Her grandson, playing at marbles, stopped,
And, cruel in sport as boys will be,
Tossed a stone at the bird, who hopped
From bough to bough in the Apple-tree.
"Nay!" said the grandmother, "have you not heard,
My poor, bad boy I of the fiery pit,
And how drop by drop, this merciful bird
Carries the water that quenches it?
"He brings cool dew in his little bill,
And lets it fall on the souls of sin:
You can see the mark on his red breast still
Of fires that scorch as he drops it in.
"My poor Bron rhuddyn! My breast-burnt bird,
Singing so sweetly from limb to limb,
Very dear to the heart of Our Lord
Is he who pities the lost like Him!"
"Amen!" I said to the beautiful myth;
"Sing, bird of God, in my heart as well;
Each good thought is a drop wherewith
To cool and lessen the fires of hell."
Prayers of love like rain-drops fall,
Tears of pity are cooling dew,
And dear to the heart of Our Lord are all
Who suffer like Him in the good they do.
JOHN GBEENLEAF WHITTIEB
BIRD CALLS
WHY THE OWL CRIES HOOT! HOOT!
Breton Legend
ONCE upon a time, there was no fire. Then the
little Wren flew up to the Sun and brought some
down. But the poor little thing's feathers were
so scorched and burned that she was quite
naked.
Then all the birds came together, and each
gave her a feather, except the Owl.
"I will not give her a single feather," said he.
"I have only enough for myself. Winter is com-
ing and I shall be cold."
"Very cold indeed shall you be!" cried the
King of the Birds. "From this time on you
shall shake and shiver with cold. And if you
leave your home by day, all the birds of the air
shall tear off your feathers."
That is why the Owl, during the day, sits at
home in his hollow tree; and why, when he flies
about by night, he cries: "Hoot! Hoot!" for he is
shivering with cold.
80 THE WONDER GARDEN
WHY THE LITTLE BIRD THAT BRAGS
CRIES CUCKOO!
Friesland Legend
ONCE upon a time, the Cuckoo sang a queer song
of his own. He was very proud of it, although
the song was not much to brag of.
One day he flew into a town, and asked the
people: —
"What do you think of the Nightingale's
song?"
"Melodious," said the people.
"What do you think of the Lark's?"
"Delightful," said the people.
"What do you think of the Blackbird's?"
"Very sweet," said the people.
"Then pardon my blushes," said the Cuckoo,
"but what do you think of me?"
"To tell the truth," said the people, "we
never hear your name mentioned."
"What! my natoe never mentioned!" cried
the Cuckoo. "Then I will fly about and sing
it instead of my song, so that every one shall
know my name."
That is why the little bird that brags cries:
"Cuckoo! Cuckoo!"
BIRD CALLS 81
WHY CROWS CAW
EsJcimo Legend
ONCE upon a time, there were some little Eskimo
children. In the Moon of the Falling Leaves,
their mother took them to a forest by the sea
to gather spruce boughs.
After they had gathered a heap, and piled
them up on the beach, their mother told the
children to stay there, and watch the boughs
carefully, while she went to catch some Salmon.
The children stayed, but they forgot to watch
the boughs, and ran up and down the beach
playing with the waves.
By and by their mother came back. The
children were gone! She called each by name,
but instead of their voices she heard only the
hoarse cawing of some Crows that were flying
in circles above her head.
So it was! Those disobedient children had
all been changed into Crows! And to-day they
go flying about the world, crying hoarsely: —
"Caw! Caw!"
WHY THE PEWEE LOOKS FOR BROTHER
Mohammedan Legend
ONCE upon a time, the Pewee was a lovely
Princess. She heard that her beloved brother
was coming to see her, so she caught up a pot
82 THE WONDER GARDEN
of boiling milk to refresh him, and, placing it on
her head, ran out to meet him.
But, alas! her brother was not coming at all,
and the boiling milk blistered and burned her
head. Then she started out to find him. Night
and day, over mountains and desert wastes, she
sought him, crying: —
"Brother! O Brother!"
At last Allah the Compassionate, the Merci-
ful, pitying her grief, changed her into a bird,
so that she might the more easily go to and fro
over the earth.
So still she wheels in her long flights, and
cries : —
"Brother! O Brother!"
And all good women, when they hear her sad
cry, throw cold water into the air to cool the
burn on her head where her black crest grows.
THE GREEDY BLACKBIRD
Old French Tale
ONCE upon a time, the Blackbird was pure
white. One day he saw the Magpie hiding away
a store of gold and jewels.
"Where did you get those? How can I get
some?" he asked.
The Magpie did not like being found out; but
he said : —
"You must go into the depths of the earth,
and find the palace of Pluto, King of Riches.
Offer to sing to him. For your pay, he will
let you carry off all the riches you can hold in
your beak. You will have to go through cave
after cave, each more full of treasure than the
last. But you must not touch anything until
you have seen the King of Riches and sung to
him."
Off flew the Blackbird that was a Whitebird.
Down a tunnel, through cave after cave, he flew,
until he came to one with silver walls, and piled
with silver coin. But remembering what the
Magpie had said, he passed on.
Lo ! the floor of the next cave was covered with
gold-dust, and piled high with gold coin. The
Whitebird stood still and looked about him with
greedy eyes, then forgetting what the Magpie
84 THE WONDER GARDEN
had said, he thrust his wide-open bill into the
gold-dust.
Immediately, with a rush and a roar, a terri-
ble Demon appeared, snorting fire and smoke.
He leaped at the Whitebird, who with a shriek
of fear, turned and flew from the cave, and out
into the daylight again.
But the thick smoke had changed the White-
bird black. And so he is to-day, while his beak
is stained the colour of the gold-dust he had
tried to steal.
And whenever he sees a boy creeping along a
hedge with a stone in his hand, he utters a terri-
fied shriek, for he thinks it is the Demon coming
back.
THE SPICE BIRD
Retold from Pliny and Other Sources
IN ancient days, in Arabia, the land of gold and
spices, there lived a wondrous bird called the
Phoenix.
So very wondrous was he that his purple body
gave out rays of light like sunbeams. He wore a
ruffle of brilliant golden plumage about his
neck, and a crest on his head. His wings were
red and yellow, while his long tail, blue and rose-
coloured, swept behind him as he flew to and
fro above the Date-palms.
Five hundred and forty years he lived, then
he built himself a nest of Cassia and sprigs of
Incense, and filled it with fragrant spices and
perfumes. On these he lay down to die, mourn-
fully singing his own funeral dirge.
Then from his bones and marrow sprang a
tiny Worm, that grew larger and larger until it
became another Phoenix, with bright rays like
sunbeams issuing from his purple body, and a
long tail, blue and rose-coloured, sweeping the air.
This new Phoenix took a quantity of Myrrh,
and shaped it like an egg, and in it placed the
remains of his father. Then he carried the egg
carefully to Egypt, and laid it down in the City
of the Sun.
86 THE WONDER GARDEN
Back to Arabia, the land of gold and spices,
he flew, and after another five hundred and
forty years built himself a nest, as his father
had done, of Cassia and sprigs of Incense, and
filled it with fragrant spices and perfumes.
On these, singing sadly, he lay down and died;
and another Phcenix flew up from the nest.
And so it was, in those ancient wonder days,
every five hundred and forty years a Phcenix
died, and a new Phcenix flew up from his spicy
nest, and carried the remains of his dead father
in an egg of Myrrh to the City of the Sun.
KING PICUS THE WOODPECKER
Retold from Ovid
ONCE upon a time, there was a handsome young
King named Picus. So handsome was he that
even the Naiads rose from the streams, and the
Dryads peeped from the trees, to watch him as
he passed by.
But, though he was admired by everybody, he
never looked at any one except his own wife, a
lovely Nymph. Sweet Voice was her name, for
so wondrous was her voice that at the sound of
her sweet singing, wild beasts were tamed,
rocks and trees danced, and birds paused in
their flight to alight upon her shoulders.
One day King Picus put on his purple cloak,
fastened on his collar of yellow gold, and taking
two lances in his hand, mounted his horse, and
rode forth into the wood. Soon he was chasing
the Wild Boars and piercing them with his lances.
But he did not see the wicked Enchantress Circe,
who was hiding among the trees.
She gazed at King Picus and was astonished
at his beauty. The herbs and plants she had
been gathering, to mingle in her evil potions, fell
from her hands. She muttered a magic spell,
and straightway a phantom Wild Boar rose up
in King Picus' path, and plunged into a thicket.
88 THE WONDER GARDEN
The King sprang from his horse and followed
the animal; while Circe, uttering strange words,
darkened the Sky and sent up a thick mist from
the ground. So King Picus lost his way, and
soon wandered to Circe's Palace-hall.
The wicked Enchantress came out to meet
him. She was clad in crimson robes, and held
a golden cup in her hand.
"Welcome, King Picus," she said, in softest
tones. "Welcome to my happy hall! Here
rest, and feast, and live without sorrow. Per-
fumed garments, mingled wines, and rich viands
shall be yours, and music and dance shall sooth
you night and day. Drink, then, O King Picus,
from this cup I hold, and be welcomed to my
hall!"
But King Picus answered her roughly: —
"Woman, whoever you are, I abhor you!
Think not to hold me by offers of riches and
happiness! Sweet Voice, my wife, awaits me
in my palace, and of her only I think night and
day! I will not drink from your cup, nor will I
enter your hall!"
* ' Ungrateful wretch ! " cr ied C irce . * ' Take then
your doom!"
And hissing like a snake, she turned herself
first twice to the west, then twice to the east.
Thrice she touched King Picus with her wand,
and three times she repeated a charm.
He fled, but wondered to feel himself rising
KING PICUS THE WOODPECKER 89
lightly in the air. Feathers covered his body,
wings sprouted from his shoulders. He was not
a man, but a bird. His wings took the purple
colour of his robe, and his neck wore a collar of
yellow feathers. Flying to a tree, he clung to
its trunk, and pecked its wood with his long
hard beak.
As for Sweet Voice, all in vain she awaited
his coming. Day after day she wandered through
the wood calling his name, and singing sadly as
does a dying Swan. With grief she pined and
pined, until little by little she melted away and
vanished into air.
Only her voice was left, and it sang and sighed
among the trees — even among the very trees
where King Picus the Woodpecker was tapping
the bark in the shadow of the cool, rustling
leaves.
THE MAGPIE MAIDENS
Retold from Hesiod and Ovid
THE NINE SISTER MUSES
OH, most lovely of all mountains in those golden
wonder times was Mount Helicon in Greece.
On its sloping sides stood mighty trees; laughing
rivers ran through its valleys; flowers of every
hue smiled up from its grass. No poisonous
thing grew in its meadows; while the air, crystal-
line and pure, enwrapped the whole mountain
like a cool, transparent veil.
But the most beautiful of all was the Grove
on its summit, where statues gleamed like snow
amidst the pale green shade of vines and trees.
For this Grove was the abode of the Nine Sister
Muses, the daughters of song, and the loveliest
of all Olympian maidens.
Daily, with delicate nimble feet they danced
in the Grove, or bathed in the violet-hued spring
of Aganippe. Sometimes, hand in hand, they
climbed to the Fountain of Hippocrene, from
whose bubbling waters the winged horse Pegasus
was wont to drink long sweet draughts. And
always, as they climbed upward, they uttered
such musical notes that the birds paused in their
Sight to listen, the Bees ceased their humming,
THE MAGPIE MAIDENS 91
and Pegasus, tossing his head, waved his silvery
wings in delight.
And always the Nine Sister Muses sang about
the Dwellers-on-Mount-Olympus. They sang of
stately aegis-bearing Jupiter, of Minerva the
grey-eyed and wise one, of Venus the Beautiful
and her naughty little son Cupid, of Aurora the
rosy-fingered child of Dawn, who, clad in saffron
robe, each morning flung open the purple Gates
of Day. But more often they sang of Apollo-of-
the-Golden-Beams, dwelling in the Palace of the
Sun that was raised high on columns of radiant
gold, with ivory polished roof, and folding doors
like brightest silver. And so the Nine Sister
Muses, singing together, made Mount Helicon
ring with their entrancing voices.
But, alas! one day harsh, discordant noises,
and the rustlings of strong wings, came from the
trees that swept with their boughs the Fountain
of Hippocrene. Then there sounded a dreadful
chattering among the leaves, and the Nine Muses,
fled back in disgust, to their Grove.
And this is how that dreadful chattering came
to disturb Mount Helicon: —
THE NINE SISTER PLERIDES
OVEE the lands of Pella ruled King Pierus, and
in his richly adorned palace dwelt his daughters,
the Nine Sister Pierides. Very haughty and
92 THE WONDER GARDEN
foolish they were, and proud of their voices.
They grew prouder and prouder, until one day
the eldest said: —
"We, and not the Nine Sister Muses, should
inhabit the delightful Grove on Mount Helicon.
Come, let us go thither, and put the Muses to
shame with our melodious voices."
So they hastened away to Mount Helicon,
and climbed to the Fountain of Hippocrene, where
the Nine Sister Muses were singing sweetly to
Pegasus, while he drank deeply from the spark-
ling water.
"Cease, O ye vain Muses, your empty vul-
gar noises," cried the eldest of the Nine Sister
Pierides. "We are come to have a contest with
you. Let us each sing, and if our charming
voices make us the victors, you must retire at
once and forever from this spot. But if you
overcome us, — which is not at all likely, — we
will return to our snow-capped mountains. Let
us now to the contest, and do you call the
Nymphs of the streams of Helicon to be our
judges."
Now the Nymphs of the streams of Helicon
heard these words as they were peeping from
the water, and quickly came crowding to the
Fountain of Hippocrene and sat down on the
rocks to listen.
Then the eldest of the Nine Sister Pierides
opened wide her mouth, and with harsh, discord-
THE MAGPIE MAIDENS 93
ant sounds sang mockingly of the Dwellers-on-
Mount-Olympus. She scoffed at segis-bearing
Jupiter; she sang scornfully of Diana-of-the-
Bended-Bow and of Diana's brother, Apollo-of-
the-Golden-Beams. And as her voice rose higher
and higher, and became noisier and noisier, the
sky darkened, and gusts of wind shook the trees.
And so it was until she had ended her song.
Then rose up one of the Nine Sister Muses,
Calliope-of-the-Silver- Voice. Her long hair was
wreathed with ivy, and her robe swept the
dewy grass. Her sweet voice soared like a bird
through the air. She sang of Daffodils and
Roses. She sang of little Proserpina romping
with her playmates in a flowery meadow. She
sang of grim King Pluto and his plunging steeds,
and of Mother Ceres the Keeper-of-all-the-Corn-
fields-in- the- World. And such wondrous silvery
melody poured from Calliope's throat, that the
Sun shone brightly forth, and the very Moon and
Stars seemed to stand still to listen. And then
Calliope ceased her singing.
"0 ye Nine Sister Muses," cried the Nymphs
of the streams of Helicon, "never before have
we heard such entrancing, melodious strains!
To you, and to you alone, belongs the victor's
crown, and not to these stupid Nine Sister
Pierides who disgust all nature with their loud
noises."
At this the Nine Sister Pierides burst into abuse
94 THE WONDER GARDEN
and clamour. But the Nine Sister Muses looked
silently and sternly upon them.
Then Calliope said: —
"O ye mockers! Your insolence and pride alone
merit reproof. But now to these you add abuse
and violence. Therefore receive your just pun-
ishment."
And even while she was speaking, the Nine
Sister Pierides, menacing her with their hands,
tried to grasp her long hair. But, lo, wonder of
wonders! quills sprouted from their fingers; their
arms were covered with feathers, and became
wings !
In despair they beat their breasts with their
wings, for they felt their feet change into claws;
and each saw the others' faces shoot out into
long hard beaks. And, behold, the Nine Sister
Pierides were no longer maidens, but were be-
come Magpies, the scandal of the woods, for their
pride and love of chattering still remained.
Then they rose into the air with a rushing
sound, and settled in the trees whose boughs
swept the Fountain of Hippocrene. And so
dreadful was their chattering and their harsh,
discordant clamour, that Pegasus, stretching his
silvery wings in fright, soared into the sky, while
the Nine Sister Muses fled in disgust back to
their Grove.
THE BOY THAT THE EAGLE STOLE
Retold from Lucian and Other Sources
THERE was great excitement in the Shining
Palace on Mount Olympus. Hebe, the royal
cupbearer, had fallen and spilled the fragrant
Nectar. It had gushed in a rich tide over the
golden floor of the banquet-hall.
Yes! rosy, dimpled Hebe, the youngest and
most charming of all the Dwellers-on-Mount-
Olympus, had stumbled awkwardly as she was
running about carrying a great golden goblet,
and had fallen. So Jupiter, her father, said that
she should be royal cupbearer no longer.
"I'll serve the Nectar. Let me be your but-
ler," growled Vulcan-the-Smith, rising from the
banquet-board.
So just as he was, all covered with soot and
sparks, for he had come straight from his forge,
he laid aside his tongs, and went limping around
the hall, a golden goblet in either hand. But
when he served Nectar to Jupiter, the goblet
was so dirty with soot that everybody burst out
laughing, and Jupiter looked about for another
cupbearer.
Now on leafy Mount Ida, a beautiful boy with
pink cheeks and flowing hair was hunting the
wild Stags. Prince Ganymede was his name.
96 THE WONDER GARDEN
And the minute that Jupiter saw him, he changed
himself into a mighty Eagle, and swooping down
caught him up in his talons, and carried him off.
In vain did Prince Ganymede's attendants
stretch out their hands to save him. In vain his
Dogs bayed angrily, pointing their noses toward
the sky. Jupiter bore him up and up to the
Shining Palace on Mount Olympus. There he
clad him in unfading Olympian garments, and
made him royal cupbearer.
So ever after that Prince Ganymede ran about
the banquet-hall carrying in his rosy finger-tips
great golden goblets filled with honey-sweet
Nectar.
THE ROBE OF FEATHERS
Japanese Myth
IT was Springtime, and along the pine-clad shore
there came the sound of birds. The blue sea
danced and sparkled in the sunlight.
A fisherman was sitting on the shore. He
chanced to glance up at the Pine-Trees, and saw
a beautiful robe of pure white feathers hanging
on a bough. He took it down, and as he did so,
a lovely maiden came toward him from the sea.
" Oh ! restore that robe to me, dear fisherman,"
she pleaded.
He gazed at her in wonder. Then he shook
his head. "This robe," said he, "I have found,
and I mean to keep it. It is a marvel, and should
be placed among the treasures of Japan. No, I
can't possibly give it to you."
"Oh!" cried the maiden pitifully, "I cannot
go soaring up into the sky without my Robe of
Feathers. If you keep it, never again may I
return to the Palace of the Moon. O good man,
I beg of you to restore my robe!"
But the fisherman was hard-hearted, and re-
fused to relent.
"The more you plead," said he, "the more
determined I am to keep what I have found."
"0 dear fisherman!" cried she again, "say not
98 THE WONDER GARDEN
so! Without my Robe of Feathers I am like a
helpless bird with broken wing. Without my
wings I cannot soar to the blue plains of the sky,
and to the Palace of the Moon."
Then the fisherman's heart was softened. "I
will restore your Robe of Feathers," he said,
"if you will dance for me."
Then said the maiden: "I will dance here the
dance that makes the Palace of the Moon turn
around so mysteriously. But I cannot dance
without my Robe of Feathers."
"What!" cried the fisherman, "do you think
I'm such a fool as to give up this robe? If I do,
you will surely fly away without dancing."
"The pledge of mortals may be broken,"
answered the maiden sternly, "but the Moon
Folk never lie."
At these words the fisherman was ashamed,
and quickly gave her the Robe of Feathers.
Straightway she put on the pure white garment.
Then she struck the strings of a lute, and began
to dance to the sweetest music, such as the fisher-
man had never heard before.
And while she danced and played, she sang of
beautiful, strange, far-off things. She sang of
the mighty Palace of the Moon where thirty
monarchs ruled, fifteen in robes of white when
the orb was full, and fifteen robed in black when
the Moon was waning.
Then soon her dainty feet ceased tapping the
THE ROBE OF FEATHERS 99
sand. She rose into air, the white feathers of her
robe gleaming against the Pine-Trees, and against
the blue sky itself.
Up, up, she went, still singing and playing,
until her song was hushed — until she reached
the glorious shining Palace of the Moon.
PAN'S SONG
From Britannia's Pastorals (retold)
HARK to the Pipes of Pan ! This is a song of the
Golden Age on fair Britannia's shores.
The all-drowsy Night, in car of jet with steeds
of iron grey, 'was coursing through the darkened
sky, when the silver-footed Thetis, Queen of the
Ocean Wave, left her coral palace beneath the sea.
She mounted her silver car, inlaid with Pearls
and precious stones, and urged her foaming
steeds through the rolling billows. Singing
Naiads, garlanded with seaweed, and riding on
sporting Dolphins, were her guides.
Onward they rushed through the blue ^Egean
Sea, then past the happy shores of Cyprus, and
from thence toward Britannia's snowy cliffs.
So runs my song away!
In those golden days, on Britannia's meads,
Shepherds fed their bounding flocks. On oaten
reeds they piped their songs to maids who danced
upon the green, wreathed in chains of flowers, in
which were twined the Daisy and the scented
Violet, the Lily and the Primrose, too, the orange-
tawny Marigold, the wind-blown Columbine,
the fragrant Honeysuckle, and the Kingcup
yellow as true gold.
PAN'S SONG 101
And in those far-off happy days, Marina was
the fairest maid to whom the Shepherds sung.
But wretched fate! On a time when none was
nigh to succour her, Limos, savage caitiff, gaunt
with hunger, seized the trembling maid and
bore her to his den.
There in the Cave of Famine he locked her
behind iron bars. Then, laughing in his evil
heart, he went by night to a distant sheepfold to
steal the Shepherds' choicest lambs.
So in the Cave of Famine, Marina lay, sighing
and lamenting. She heard the cruel sea waves
beat against the walls, and saw the Sun's feeblest
rays creeping through the bars. Thirst and
Hunger were her jailers there; and the pangs
of Famine darted through her tender sides. But
Heaven, that lends a hand when human helpings
fail, did not forget the gentle maid.
A little Robin Redbreast, in the clear day,
sat singing sweetly on a thorn-bush near her
cave. Then Marina, pitying the dear bird,
fearing lest Limos should return and kill him,
rose and tried to frighten him away.
"Poor, harmless creature," said she, sighing,
"go seek some brook, and to its tinkling fall sing
with your happy fellows. Or better still, do
this, you loving bird: fly to the good greenwood
and grassy mead, and tell the Shepherds of my
cruel fate. Or, if instead you tarry here, do me a
deed of charity. When my soul shall have left
102 THE WONDER GARDEN
this form, cover my poor body with a green sheet
of leaves gathered in some sweet valley!"
When Robin Redbreast heard this plaint, he
sang no more, but flew away.
Then in a trice back again he came to the thorn-
bush by Marina's bars. And from his beak hung
by its slender stem a red ripe Cherry. Through
the bars he flew, and nestled in Marina's bosom,
and there he laid the Cherry, and straightway
was gone again.
Soon he returned with a cluster of fragrant
Strawberries. These, too, he laid in Marina's
bosom, and hasted away.
And so he fed her. No sweet or toothsome
fruit grew in all th£ wood, but the kind bird knew
it and brought it to the maid.
Then to the seashore he hastened, and flew
to and fro above the sand, until he found an
Oyster with shell half open, yawning in the Sun.
The wily Redbreast took a little pebble, and
pressed it between the pearly lips, and the Oyster
tried to close its shell, but could not. Then the
bird thrust in his head and pulling out the Oyster,
flew with it to Marina's cave, and put the morsel
between her lips.
And so he fed her with juicy fruits and refresh-
ing meats.
When the tide rolled out, and many shells
were left high upon the shore, Marina, looking
through her bars, saw — oh, wondrous sight! —
PAN'S SONG 103
Doves and Eagles, Hawks and Ospreys, standing
on the sand, and before each lay an Oyster,
yawning in the Sun, and each bird held in his
beak a pebble, as he had seen Redbreast do.
But the birds were not so wise as he! Some
put their pebbles too far within the shells, others
used stones too small and smooth. And when
they thrust in their heads between the pearly
lips, the shells closed tight and cut then- necks
in two.
"Unhappy birds!" Marina sighed, "thus to
meet your deaths! Not wise you were, like little
Robin Redbreast!"
The feathered hours flew by, and ten days and
nights came and went, and still the kind bird
fed Marina, and still the caitiff, Limos, came not.
He, too, had met his death.
In the distant sheepfold the angry Shepherds
found him ere he could steal their choicest
lambs. With many shouts they pursued him
across the plain. Seizing him, they bound him
with iron chains to a rock, and left him there
to die. His eyes flashed with flames; he ground
his teeth and tore at his chains, and died.
So in the Cave of Famine Marina lay with
none to free her. Alas! her wretched state!
While Aurora, rosy-fingered Child of Dawn,
touched the Sky with opal lights, swiftly to
fair Britannia's shore the car of Thetis came.
104 THE WONDER GARDEN
Near to the Cave of Famine drew the car, and
the silver-footed Queen heard Marina's plaint —
unhappy maid ! — in fear of grief and hunger. For
on that same rosy day, — oh, mournful chance !
— the willing little Redbreast had flown too
swiftly through the thorns, had pricked his tender
breast, and so had died.
When the silver-footed Queen heard the maid's
lament, her heart was moved by such dire distress.
To her she called great Triton, and bade him
free the sorrowing maid.
Meanwhile, the Naiads caught Marina's tears
in Oyster shells. Those sparkling briny drops
changed into rare pearls of Orient, and the
Naiads strewed them on the shore and in the
clefts of Britannia's snowy rocks.
Then the Ocean Queen drew Marina into her
silver car, and swiftly urged her foaming steeds
through the leaping billows toward the coral
palace underneath the waves, where joy and
bliss for ever reign.
The all-drowsy Night, in jetty car, drove his
iron-grey coursers through the darkened sky.
So the song of Pan is ended !
WHERE FLORA REIGNS THE QUEEN
OF FLOWERS
FAIR FLORA'S FLOWERS
The Daisy scattered on each mead and down,
A golden tuft within a silver crown,
(Fair fall that dainty flower! and may there be
No Shepherd graced that doth not honour thee /)
The Harebell, for her stainless azured hue,
Claims to be worn of none but those are true.
The Yellow Kingcup Flora them assigned
To be the badges of a jealous mind.
Flora's choice buttons of a russet dye,
Is Hope even in the depth of misery.
The Pansy, Thistle all with prickles set,
The Cowslip, Honeysuckle, Violet,
And many hundreds more that graced the meads,
Gardens and groves, where beauteous Flora treads,
Were by the Shepherds' daughters (as yet are
Used in our cotes) brought home with special care.
WILLIAM BROWNE OP TAVISTOCK (condensed)
QUEEN FLORA'S GLOVES
The Foxglove on fair Flora's hand is worn,
Lest, while she gathers flowers, she meet a thorn.
ABRAHAM COWLET
WHY CROCUS HOLDS UP HIS
GOLDEN CUP
Retold from Ovid
IN the bright Springtime, in those days when
golden-beamed Apollo shed his happiest rays
upon Earth, Flora, the bride of the gentle West
Wind, Zephyr, walked in her garden, where
streams of sparkling water sang among the trees.
"Beloved," said Zephyr, "rule now the Em-
pire of Blossoms! Be Queen of all the Flowers!"
And he breathed through the garden, and
from the soft grass sprang up dew- washed Violets,
Lilies, and Daffodils; while from Flora's lips Red
Roses fell to the ground, and, taking root there,
bloomed again.
So Flora, Queen of all the Flowers, tended the
plants and unfolded the buds. The birds burst into
song, the streams sang more gayly, while Apollo
with his golden beams dissolved the Dew upon
the leaves. And Flora's four maidens, Spring,
Summer, Autumn, and Winter, arrayed in their
painted robes, ran hither and thither among the
flowers, gathering the blossoms into light baskets.
Then from among the trees came dancing the
Three Graces, swaying hand in hand, — Aglaia,
Thalia, and Euphrosyne. And they, too, ran
hither and thither among the flowers, plucking
108 THE WONDER GARDEN
Violets and Daffodils, and twining delicate gar-
lands for Flora's head.
Now in all that wide and beautiful garden
only two people were unhappy, — a youth and
a Nymph. And very unhappy they were, for
the Nymph loved the youth, but he mocked at
her love.
Flora heard them disputing and hurried to
their side.
"Crocus and Smilax!" she cried. "Unhappy
ones, who are disturbing the peace of my garden !
Become flowers at once!"
And straightway the youth pined and grew
smaller, until he peeped from the grass, no longer
a youth, but a slender green stem holding up a
golden cup.
The Nymph, she sank to the grass and was
changed into a delicate trailing vine.
And so it is to-day. Crocus stands in the fresh,
green grass holding up a golden or a purple cup,
while Smilax trails upon the ground.
LEGEND OF THE FRAIL WINDFLOWER
Old Legend
WOULD you like to know why the pale-tinted
buds of the frail Windflower tremble so in the
breeze? And why its delicate petals are so
cruelly torn by the cold North Wind?
Once upon a time, at the court of Queen Flora,
THE FRAIL WINDFLOWER 109
there dwelt a little Nymph called Anemone. She
was of such rare and delicate beauty that no
flower in all Queen Flora's garden was so lovely.
Even the gentle West Wind, Zephyr, liked to
ruffle her soft hair and fan her pink cheeks with
his wings.
But though Anemone was beautiful, she did
not always obey Queen Flora, who grew dis-
pleased at her little Nymph's naughty ways.
So she touched her with her wand, and changed
her into a frail Windflower with tightly closed
pink and lilac buds. Then, to punish her still
further, she took her out of the garden, and
planted her along the forest-walks.
But Zephyr, pitying the lonely little flower,
hurried to the forest, and, breathing gently on
her folded buds, coaxed them to unclose.
Then, because he was such a fickle Wind,
blowing this way and that just as he chose, he
soon forgot about sad little Anemone. He flew
back to Queen Flora's garden; while his rough
brother Boreas, the cold North Wind, came
rushing down from his icy home, and tore her
frail petals with his rude breath.
That is why — so the Wonder Story says —
little Anemone is called the Windflower; and
why, in the early, early Springtime she stands
trembling, and waiting for Zephyr to coax open
her tight buds; and why, when Zephyr has flown
back to Queen Flora's garden, she bows her
110 THE WONDER GARDEN
fragile blossoms before the rude cold blast of
Boreas his brother.
THE PRIMROSE SON
Old Legend
OF course you have heard how, in those golden
wonder days of old, Flora the Beautiful was
Queen of all the Flowers.
In her garden grew tall proud Tulips, slen-
der Daffodils with drooping golden heads, and
Hyacinths that softly rang their scented bells.
And everywhere along the paths, Crocus held
up his yellow and purple cups; while Smilax
trailed delicately around the trees and upon the
ground.
In the Spring and Summer time, Queen Flora
walked joyously through her garden, shedding
glowing Red Roses from her mouth; while
everywhere she stepped, whole troops of little
flowers came crowding from the mould, and,
lifting their radiant heads, smiled up at her.
But in all that wide and lovely garden there
was no Primrose to sweetly tremble in the breeze,
when the gentle West Wind, Zephyr, stirred its
leaves.
Now, it was by Flora's magic art that Crocus,
a troublesome youth, and Smilax, a quarrelsome
Nymph, had once been transformed into the
flowers that bear their names. So when Flora
THE LILIES WHITE 111
saw that there was no Primrose, she walked
about her garden to find a youth to change
into one.
Soon she found her own pretty son, Paralisos,
stretched out in the soft grass, where he was
weeping and wailing for a maiden he had loved
and lost. And, because he would not be com-
forted, and was mourning himself to death,
Flora touched him with her wand.
Instantly he was changed into a green Prim-
rose Plant, holding up its staff of pale sweet
blossoms. And there, night and day, Paralisos
stood, drinking the dew from his flower-cups;
folding his petals when the Sun shone too brightly,
and opening them again in the cool of the day to
scent his mother's garden.
Then, because she loved her Primrose Son so
dearly, she planted him in meadows and woods,
so that all the world might see him.
THE LILIES WHITE
FAIR was the day, but fairer was the maid who
wandered through the good greenwood. Sweet
was the air, but sweeter was her breathing per-
fumed with Roses. Bright was the Sun, but
brighter were her eyes.
A green silk frock she wore. Loose from her
waist fell a mantle stitched with gold and green,
and lined with rich carnation silk. Around the
112 THE WONDER GARDEN
mantle's edge hung a deep fringe of twisted
gold, as if on the margin of a brook a thousand
yellow flowers did fringe its course. Upon her
feet she wore a pair of buskins soft, studded
with Orient Pearls and Chrysolite. A silver
quiver she hung upon her back, and in her
hand she held a bow of scented wood. All
lovely was she, with heavenly Roses in her
face.
But her slender hands were whiter than all
else on earth. Yes, whiter than the snowy Swans
that float upon the bosom of the lake. So daz-
zling were they, that when she stooped to pick
the meadow-flowers, they shone like white stars
fallen in the grass. No bloom on earth was half
so white as they.
Sweet Flora, Queen of all the Flowers, saw
them, and was ravished at the sight.
"I must," she said, "make blossoms as lovely
as her hands."
Now all the Lilies, in those days, were black.
Often the dancing Fairies left their happy play,
and, pulling the black flowers, filled their cups
with honey from the hollow trees. Then to the
banquet of the Fairy Queen they hastened, bear-
ing the jetty cups.
These Queen Flora saw, and said, "Such un-
sightly blossoms will I change to flowers that
shall vie for beauty with this maid's fair hands."
She touched the black Lily cups, and straight
THE CORNFLOWER YOUTH 113
their jetty petals grew pure and crystalline, and
set with tiny golden crowns within.
Yet these new flowers, so stately with their
crowns, were not half so snowy as the maid's
dazzling hands, but were of a transparent white-
ness, — shadowy, like the breasts of Venus'
Doves.
WILLIAM BROWNE OF TAVISTOCK (retold)
THE CORNFLOWER YOUTH
Old Legend
A VERY foolish youth was Cyanus. He loved
the bright Cornflowers more than he did his
father and mother. When the Cornflowers were
in blossom, he neglected his duties, and spent
all his time wandering among them.
One day he put on a fringed robe of bright
silk, blue like his favourite flowers, and went
to walk in Queen Flora's Cornfields. He wan-
dered about, picking the blue blossoms, and
wreathing them into garlands and chains.
He forgot his home, he forgot to sleep, he forgot
to eat. Day after day and night after night he wan-
dered to and fro, growing weaker and weaker, until
he sank down fainting among the Cornstalks.
Then lovely Flora, Queen of all the Flowers,
came to walk in her fields. She found Cyanus
lying there among his scattered blossoms, that
he had loved so dearly and so foolishly. And,
114 THE WONDER GARDEN
as she liked to change youths into flowers, she
waved her wand above him.
Straightway he grew smaller and smaller. His
body became a stem rooted in the ground, while
his robe was changed into little, bright blue
Cornflowers.
And there he is to-day, dressed in emerald
green leaves and sky blue blossoms, standing
among the growing Corn. t
Very busy is Cyanus, holding high his florets, like
Fairy vases filled with rich Nectar for Queen Flora's
thirsty Bees. And when his florets are faded away,
the Fairy vases become beautiful green cradles
filled with little Winged Children, whose tiny pin-
ions are adorned with delicate jet-black plumes.
Then comes rollicking Zephyr, blowing through
the Corn. First he rocks the cradles. Then —
puff! puff! and all the little Winged Children go
sailing away before Zephyr's breath. And wher-
ever a Winged Child falls in the Cornfield, an-
other little Cyanus springs out of the ground. All
this you may see for yourself, if you will watch
in the Cornfield.
•
THE LITTLE NYMPH WHO RANG
THE BELLS
Old Legend
VERY wonderful and beautiful was the Garden
of the Hesperides on the edge of the world. In it
THE LITTLE NYMPH 115
grew a magic fruit-tree on which hung Golden
Apples that looked like little suns shining on its
branches.
Three lovely sister-maidens watched the tree,
dancing hand in hand about its trunk. And their
clear-voiced singing rang through the garden,
and livened the heart of their father, old Giant
Atlas, who was holding up the heavy sky on his
head and hands. Indeed their sweet singing
soothed the temper of the terrible Dragon with a
hundred heads, who lay around the roots of the
magic tree, coiling and uncoiling his glittering
scales.
Morning, noon, and night the three Hesperides,
as the sister-maidens were called, sang and
danced, while they watched lest any rash mortal
should enter the garden.
Morning, noon, and night the hundred heads
of the Dragon vomiting flames, watched with all
their two hundred eyes lest the Hesperides them-
selves should pluck some of the Golden Apples.
And there was still another watcher, for the
Dragon had a little Nymph to wait upon him.
Campanula was her name. She carried a bunch
of tiny silver bells to ring if any mortal tried to
enter, or if the Hesperides drew too near the
tree.
One day Campanula was weary and forgot her
duty for a moment. Just then a thief came leap-
ing over the wall. She ran for her bells, but
116 THE WONDER GARDEN
before she could reach them he thrust his sword
through her heart.
Ah! then what weeping and wailing there was
in the garden! All the flowers drooped their
heads and shed tears of dew. The Butterflies
folded their wings and quivered with grief. Even
the Hesperides stopped their clear singing, and
old Giant Atlas groaned louder than before.
Lovely Flora, Queen of all the Flowers, heard
the weeping and wailing, and came hurrying
into the garden. She pitied poor little Campa-
nula so, that she touched her with her wand. Im-
mediately the little Nymph was changed into a
Bluebell swinging its bright blossoms in the wind.
And each Summer since then little Campanula,
standing in the garden-bed, announces the com-
ing of the hot days by ringing her silver-sweet
amethyst bells.
THE MARIGOLD ARROWS
Retold from Abraham Cowley and Other Sources
ONCE upon a time, when Queen Flora reigned
over the flowers, a maiden named Caltha lived
in Flora's garden.
Caltha loved to look at the bright Sun, and all
day long she sat with her eyes fixed on his shining
disk. At night she did not sleep, but sat watching
for him to rise again.
So she gazed and gazed, until one morning she
THE MARIGOLD ARROWS 117
melted under his hot beams, and vanished away.
And in her place grew up an orange-coloured
Marigold, dew- washed with tears.
All day long the Marigold turned her face
toward the Sun as he moved through the sky.
At night she closed her petals, only to open them
again at the first touch of his morning beams.
When at last her blossom faded and withered
away, she still stood there holding up her calyx,
shaped like a little quiver filled with tiny painted
arrows.
So Queen Flora, walking in her garden, saw
the quiver. She plucked it and hung it on her
shoulder. Then she put on buskins made of
Lady's-slippers, and drew Foxgloves on her slim
white hands; and, holding a small bow, she went
to hunt Butterflies among her flowers.
Soon a large pale yellow Butterfly flew past
her, alighting on the stem of a pale yellow Rose.
And there he hung motionless with closed wings,
hoping that Queen Flora would mistake him for a
Rosebud. But Zephyr breathed upon him, and
made him flutter. So Queen Flora knew that
he was not a flower, and shot a bright Marigold-
arrow straight through his body.
Then she took the Butterfly home to her pal-
ace, and made a wee yellow fan of his wings.
118 THE WONDER GARDEN
FRUIT ON THE ROSE-BUSH
Old Legend
SINGING birds, humming Bees, blooming flowers,
and bubbling water-springs, all these were in
Queen Flora's lovely garden. Above them towered
giant Oak-Trees rustling and whispering secrets.
Inside each Oak-Tree dwelt a little Dryad with
nut-brown hair wreathed in oak-leaves.
One day Queen Flora found her largest tree
blasted, and its little Dryad lying dead among
the ferns; while all the other Dryads stood about,
crying and wringing their hands.
"Do not weep, my children," said Queen
Flora, *' for your little companion shall reign over
all my flowers."
Then Queen Flora sent out her messengers the
Bees, to invite the Dwellers-on-Mount-Olympus
to come to the garden.
Straightway through the air came flying
Apollo-of-the-Golden-Beams, trailing his long
purple robe, and Venus the Beautiful in her car
drawn by Swans. While through the lush green
meadows came walking Bacchus, Keeper-of-All-
the-Vineyards-in-the- World. After him followed
Vertumnus and Pomona hand in hand, he bear-
ing aloft his big cornucopia filled with Pears,
Plums, and Peaches, and she clasping a basket of
bright red Apples.
FRUIT ON THE ROSE-BUSH 119
Then Zephyr the West Wind breathed gently
through the garden, and Flora touched the little
Dryad with her wand. Lo! the little maiden's
body became a lovely green bush; but there were
no flowers growing on it.
Apollo warmed its roots with his bright beams.
Bacchus poured nectar of dew-drops over it.
Vertumnus anointed it with his choicest perfumes,
while Pomona scattered her smallest, brightest,
and reddest Apples upon its branches.
Then Flora touched the bush with her wand,
and from each small red Apple sprang a blossom
like a diadem of crimson perfumed petals.
After that Venus stepped forward, set many
tiny thorns along the stems of the bush; — and
she called its flowers Roses.
That is how the little Dryad of the blasted Oak
came to reign over all the flowers in Flora's
garden; and why, in the Autumn, little bright
red Apples grow on Rose-Bushes.
PLUCKING MEADOW WONDER
BLOSSOMS
THE TROOPING FLOWERS
The air is soft, the dale is green,
The Kingcups troop in golden sheen,
And nod the Windflowers gaily;
The meadow-ground
Is bright around,
And waxes brighter daily.
The Rivulet tumbles down the rock,
And thrills and shudders to the shock,
Sings on through shady places;
Where'er it goes,
The Pale Primrose
Runs with it little races.
The Roving Cowslips, born at night.
Steal forth into the early light,
Beside a stubble meadow;
And there the cold
Dark stream in gold,
Melts murmuring out of shadow.
ANON, (condensed)
FAIRY CLOTHES
Next followed on
The Fairy Nobles, ushering Oberon
Their mighty King, a prince of subtile power.
Clad in a suit of speckled Gillyflower.
His hat, by some choice master in the trade,
Was (like a helmet} of a Lily made.
His ruff, a Daisy was, so neatly trim,
As if of purpose it had grown for him.
His cloak was of the velvet flowers, and lined
With Flower s-de-Luces, of the choicest kind.
WILLIAM BROWNE OF TAVISTOCK (condensed)
LEGEND OF THE TRAILING ARBUTUS
Iroquois Legend
MANY, many Moons ago, in the far Northern
Land beside the Lakes, there lived an old man
alone in his lodge. His locks were long, and
white with Age and Frost. The fur of the Bear
and the Beaver covered his body, but none too
warmly, for the Snow and Ice were everywhere.
Over all the Earth was Winter. The North
Wind rushed down the mountain-side, and shook
the branches of trees and bushes as it searched
for song-birds to chill to the heart. But all living
creatures had crept into their holes, and even
the bad Spirits had dug caves for themselves in
the Ice and Snow.
Lonely and halting, the old man went out into
the forest seeking wood for his fire. Only a few
fagots could he find, and in despair he again
sought his lodge. He laid the fagots on the Fire,
and soon they were burned; and he crouched
over the dying embers.
The wind moaned in the tree-tops, and a sud-
den gust blew aside the skin of the Great Bear
hanging before the door. And, lo, a beautiful
maiden entered the lodge.
Her cheeks were red like the petals of Wild
Roses. Her eyes were large, and glowed like the
124 THE WONDER GARDEN
eyes of the Fawn at night. Her hair was black
like the wing of the Crow, and so long that it
trailed upon the ground. Her hands were filled
with Willow buds, and on her head was a crown
of flowers. Her mantle was woven with sweet
grasses and ferns, and her moccasins were white
Lilies laced and embroidered with petals of
Honeysuckles. When she breathed, the air of
the lodge became fragrant and warmer, and the
cold wind rushed back in affright.
The old man gazed on her in wonder. "My
daughter," said he, "you are welcome to the
poor shelter of my cheerless lodge! It is cold
and desolate, for I have not wood enough to keep
my Fire burning! Come, sit beside me, and tell
me who you are, that you wander like a Deer
through the forest. Tell me also of your country,
and your people who gave you such beauty and
grace. Then I, who am the mighty Winter, will
tell you of my great deeds."
The maiden smiled, and the sunlight streamed
forth from the grey clouds and shot its warmth
through the roof of the lodge. Then Winter filled
his pipe of friendship, and when he had put it to
his lips, he said : —
"I blow the breath from my nostrils and the
waters of the rivers stand still, and the great
waves of the lakes rest, and the murmurings of
the streams die away in silence."
"You are great and strong," said the maiden,
THE TRAILING ARBUTUS 125
"and the waters know the touch of your breath.
But I am loved by the birds, and when I smile
the flowers spring up all over the forest, and the
meadows are carpeted with green."
"I shake my locks," said Winter, "and, lo,
the Earth is wrapped in a covering of Snow!"
"I breathe into the air," said the maiden, "and
the warm rains come, and the covering of Snow
vanishes like the darkness when the Sun awakens
and rises from its bed in the morning."
"I walk about," said Winter, "and the leaves
die on the trees, and fall to the ground. The
birds desert their nests and fly away beyond the
lakes. The animals hide themselves in their
holes."
"Oh! great are you, Winter," said the maiden,
"and your name is to be feared by all living things
in the land! Cruel are you, Winter! More cruel
and cunning than the tortures of the Red Men!
Your strength is greater than the strength of the
forest trees, for do you not rend them with power-
ful hands?
"But when I, the gentle maiden, walk forth,
the trees burst into leaves, and the sweet birds
build again their nests in the branches. The
winds sing soft and pleasant music to the ears
of the Red Man, while his wife and papooses
sport in the warm sunshine near his wigwam."
As the maiden ceased speaking, the lodge be-
came very warm and bright. But the boasting
126 THE WONDER GARDEN
Winter heeded it not, for his head drooped upon
his breast, and he slept. The maiden passed her
hands above his head, and he grew smaller and
smaller.
The Bluebirds came and filled the trees about
the lodge, and sang; and the rivers lifted their
waves and foamed and leaped along. Streams of
water flowed from Winter's mouth, and he van-
ished away, while his garments turned into
glistening leaves.
Then the maiden knelt upon the ground, and
took from her bosom a cluster of delicate flowers,
fragrant and rosy-white. She hid them beneath
the leaves, and breathing on them with love,
whispered: —
"I give you, O precious jewels, all my virtues
and my sweetest breath. Men shall pluck you
with bowed head and bended knee."
Then she arose, and moved joyously over the
plains, and among the hills, and through the val-
leys. The birds and the winds sang together,
while the flowers everywhere lifted up their heads
and greeted her with fragrance.
So always in the early Spring, wherever the
maiden stepped, grows the Trailing Arbutus.
WILLIAM W. CANFIELD (adapted)
THE WOOD-VIOLET 127
THE WOOD-VIOLET THAT WAS
A MAIDEN
Old Legend
WOULD you like to know why the little blue
Wood- Violet peeps so shyly up from under her
broad green leaves, and why she hides away so
modestly in the woods and beneath shady
hedges?
This is what the Wonder Story tells: —
Once upon a time there was a charming modest
little maiden named lanthis. She was one of the
attendants of Diana-of-the-Bended-Bow. Often
she and her companions, Arethusa and Syrinx,
wandered about the woods picking flowers and
berries.
But unlike her two companions, who went
bare-armed the better to use their bows when
hunting, the modest little lanthis wrapped her-
self in a dusky blue veil, and tended a herd of
Cows that were gently browsing in a fragrant
meadow.
Now it chanced one day that Apollo-of-the-
Golden-Beams was looking from his Palace in
the Sun, and caught a glimpse of lanthis's sweet
eyes gazing shyly up at him through her blue
veil. Straight he flew down to the meadow.
But lanthis saw him coming, and timidly ran
away.
128 THE WONDER GARDEN
"O Diana!" she cried piteously, "whither
shall I flee from Apollo? Shall I hasten to the
mountains, and there hide my head?"
Then came Diana's answer calm and clear: —
"Sister, little Sister, do not go near the moun-
tains, for on their tops Apollo likes to sit and
watch the open sky. Hide, instead, in some
shady nook, for Apollo dislikes cool shadows."
So lanthis ran into the wood, and hid herself
in a cool thicket beside a brook.
And there Apollo found her. He parted the
branches, and when he saw her shy, blushing face
gazing at him, he stretched out his arms to carry
her off to his Palace in the Sun.
But Diana, who loved her little maiden well,
touched her face in its dusky blue veil, and it
became a modest, lovely Violet; while her body
sank down among the stones and leaves, and was
a green-spreading Violet-plant.
That is why to-day — so the Wonder Story
says — lanthis, the little blue Wood- Violet, hides
by the sides of streams and beneath shady hedges,
peeping timidly up from under her broad green
leaves.
THE DANDELION FAIRIES
Old Tale
ONCE upon a time, there was a meadow inhab-
ited by Fairies. Brownies and Elves skipped
about in the grass. Wood-Gnomes lived in the
THE DANDELION FAIRIES 129
trees. The cheerful little Flower-Sprites, in their
gay gowns, flitted about in the sunshine.
Suddenly human children ran into the meadow.
They trampled down so many flowers and shouted
so loudly that all the Fairies were frightened, and
scampered hither and thither looking for some
place to hide in.
The Gnomes hid themselves deep in the earth.
The Elves curled themselves up in the cracks of
the rocks. The Brownies jumped into the hollow
trunks of trees.
But the little Flower-Sprites loved the sun-
shine, and did not wish to live in the dark ground
and in hollow trees. Indeed, the poor little
things did not know where to hide; so they
clung to the stems of plants. Then the Fairy
Queen changed them all into flowers, the colours
of the gowns they were wearing.
Now, a number of the Flower-Sprites were
wearing new frocks made of bright yellow Sun-
beams. And when the excitement was over they
found themselves huddled together on one stalk
and staring straight up at the Sun. All the
littlest Sprites were in the centre, while the oldest
and strongest were formed into a circle to pro-
tect the littlest ones.
They were a Dandelion Flower!
KATHEBINE M. BEALS (adapted)
130 THE WONDER GARDEN
THE STORY THAT THE BUTTER-
CUPS TOLD
THE Buttercups were glittering amongst the
fresh green leaves, like bright little suns. How
gaily they sparkled! And could they sing?
Well, listen to the story they sang:
"Chime! Chime!
"The bright warm Sun shone on a little garden,
on the first warm day of Spring. His beams
rested on the white walls of a cottage. Close by
bloomed the first yellow Buttercup of the season,
glittering like gold in the Sun's warm ray.
"An old woman sat hi her arm-chair at the
cottage-door, and her granddaughter, a poor
but pretty servant lass, came to see her for a
short visit.
"When she kissed her grandmother, there was
gold everywhere! — gold of the heart in that
holy kiss; it was a golden morning; there was
gold in the beaming sunlight; gold in the leaves
of the little Buttercup, and on the lips of the
maiden.
"There, that is our story!" sang the Butter-
cups.
Chime! Chime!
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (adapted)
PRINCESS WHITE CHICORY 131
LITTLE PRINCESS WHITE CHICORY
Old Legend
OH, very, very sad indeed is the reason why the
little White Chicory stands patiently waiting by
the roadside; and why around her nod the little
Blue Chicory flowers watching in all directions.
Once upon a time, the little White Chicory was
a lovely Princess. She was most happy, for
she was wedded to a Prince so handsome that
there was none like him in the whole wide
world.
But his heart was vain and fickle. So one
day he left his lovely Princess without saying
farewell, and, mounting his horse, rode out of the
kingdom.
And when she knew that he was gone, and
that she was forsaken, perhaps for ever, she
wept night and day. The rose-colour fled from
her cheeks, and she grew whiter and whiter. But
always she sat at her bower window watching for
him to return.
Her strength became so spent with weeping
that she could sit up ho longer.
"Alas!" cried she, "I would rather die; but if
I do, no more can I watch for my Beloved!"
"Alas!" cried all her maids of honour, "we
would rather die with you; but if we do, we
cannot help you watch for him!"
132 THE WONDER GARDEN
And behold! even as they were speaking they
were changed!
The lovely Princess was become a little White
Chicory flower waiting by the roadside. Her
maids of honour were little Blue Chicory flowers
standing about her, and watching in all directions.
That is the sad, sad reason why to-day the
little Blue Chicory maids stand guarding their
Princess and watching; while she, the little White
Chicory, is still patiently waiting for her Beloved
to return.
WHY THE FROGS CALL THE
BUTTERCUPS
Old Legend
WHEN the long cold Winter is passed away,
and the warm Sunbeams of Spring touch the
meadow-brooks, the Frogs sing: —
"Ranunculus I
Ranunculus!
Ranunculus!"
And at their call up grow from the fresh green
grass hundreds and hundreds of glistening yel-
low Buttercups.
This is why — so the wonder story says —
the Buttercups bloom when the Frogs sing.
Of all the lads who roamed the Libyan plain,
Ranunculus was the brightest, sauciest, and
merriest. Each morning he put on a robe of
WHY FROGS CALL BUTTERCUPS 133
shining yellow satin, and sat down in a meadow,
where the Nymphs of the flowers and trees
came every day to dance.
Now Ranunculus had a very sweet voice, so
it chanced one day, while sitting in the meadow,
that he began to sing. At first his song was
soft and low, then it rose clearer and louder,
filling the air with delicious notes like a flute's.
The Nymphs stopped dancing and drew near.
They pressed close around him, in wonder and de-
light, fixing their starry eyes on his face. Ranun-
culus was so filled with joy, and felt such pride
at his own sweet singing, that he sang louder
and louder, until a great flood of musical sounds
gushed from his throat and burst his heart-
strings. Then, swooning, he lay down in the
grass, and died.
His body, yellow satin robe and all, melted
into the ground, and in its place sprang up a
delicate branching plant, its tiny twigs crowned
with dancing yellow Buttercups.
That is why every Spring, when the long cold
"Winter is passed away, and the warm Sunbeams
touch the meadow-brooks, the Frogs sing: —
"Ranunculus!
Ranunculus!
Ranunculus!"
And at their call, up start from the fresh
green grass hundreds and hundreds of bright
Buttercups.
134 THE WONDER GARDEN
LITTLE WHITE DAISY
Old Legend
IN the long, long ago, in the golden wonder
time, there were no Daisies. Snowdrops bloomed
under the Snow, Crocuses opened their yellow
and purple stars on sunny banks, Violets looked
timidly up from the grass, and Daffodils bent
their silvery heads over the whispering streams.
But the little white Daisy was not there.
In the Springtime, in those golden wonder
days when the Sun shone warm, and the fra-
grant breezes blew, and the trees put forth their
most beautiful tender green, out of every tree
trunk in the whole wide woodland peeped a
smiling Dryad-Maiden. There they had all
been sleeping the cold Winter through.
Then each Dryad-Maiden laughed a laugh
like the rustling of the leaves, and tiptoed out
of her tree. Then all joined nands, and skipped
to a meadow where the Shepherd lads were
watching their flocks. And together they danced,
the Dryad-Maidens and the Shepherds, in the
meadow-grass bright with flowers. But the
little white Daisy was not there.
Now it happened one Springtime, that all
the Dryad-Maidens were dancing in the meadow
with their Shepherds. Their green robes were
trailing, their slender arms were tossing, and
LITTLE WHITE DAISY 135
garlands of oak leaves were twined in their
hair. But the loveliest and most graceful of all,
was the pretty Bellis. Her trailing robe was
white, and a crown of yellow Crocuses was on
her hair.
So pure and white was she, so sweet and win-
some, that all the Shepherds wished to dance
with her. But she would dance with none ex-
cept a red-cheeked Shepherd lad. So merry
was he, so lithe and nimble, that she danced all
the happy day with him.
Now it chanced that Vertumnus, the Keeper-
of-all-the-Orchards-in-the- World in those golden
wonder-days, heard the laughter, and left his
orchards and his pink fruit-blossoms, and came
rushing to the meadow. He saw the Dryad-
Maidens dancing with the Shepherds, and he,
also, wished to dance. And he would dance
with none except the pretty Bellis. But her
Shepherd lad would not give her up.
Now, when the pretty Bellis saw the flaming
eyes of Vertumnus, she trembled for the life of
her Shepherd lad. Pale and smiling she drew
back, and stood apart among the grasses. Then
her hair changed to white petals, and her crown
became a yellow disk; her hands turned into
green leaves; and she sank into the grasses a
little white Daisy!
So ever since that time, among the tall
grasses, when the Crocus and the Narcissus
136 THE WONDER GARDEN
have faded away, the pretty Bellis, the little
white Daisy, blooms modest and sweet.
LEGEND OF THE GOLDENROD
Old Legend
IN the long, long ago, there lived a beautiful
maiden who had lost her lover. Very dear he
was to her; so she wandered night and day
through meadows and by-ways calling and call-
ing his name.
The birds sang sorrowfully to her; the flow-
ers shed tears of dew; and the gentle Summer
breeze caressed her long golden hair that fell in
gleaming ripples about her slender form.
But though all things pitied her, she could not
find her lover; so she sank weeping and faint-
ing to the ground, for she had had no food. From
sheer weariness she slept.
Then came the Autumn Wind, rustling and
rustling through the trees. He saw the lovely
maiden sleeping on the ground; and he shook a
bright blanket over her of red and yellow leaves.
Then came the Winter Wind, roaring, roar-
ing through the sky. He saw the bright leaves;
and he spread a white blanket of Snow over the
maiden.
Then came the Fairy of Spring, wafting and
wafting sweet perfumes through the meadows.
She saw a lock of the maiden's shining hair
THE OLD WITCH 137
straying from under the leaves and melting
Snow; so she planted her wand in the earth,
and wreathed the lock around it.
And, lo! when the Autumn came again the
wand was a wand no longer, but a tall green
stem; and the golden lock had become the
Goldenrod flower.
THE OLD WITCH WHO WAS A BURR
Skidi-Pavmee Tale
THERE was once an Indian boy who lived in a
village on a plain. He was handsome and rich.
He owned Ponies, blankets, robes, buckskin
shirts, and leggings, and was well dressed every
day. He was a very generous boy, and gave his
Ponies and clothes away to any one who asked
for them, but he was fortunate enough always
to get more wealth.
One day he visited another village, and on his
way home came to a wide stream. He sat down
and took off his moccasins, so that he might wade
across. Just then he heard a voice call his name.
He looked up, and saw, standing close beside him,
a pretty Indian girl dressed very nicely.
"Take me on your shoulders," said she, "and
pack me across the stream.'*
"You are too heavy to pack," he answered;
"I '11 help you over."
But that would not do at all! She wanted to
138 THE WONDER GARDEN
be packed, and she wept so hard and begged so
prettily that at last he consented.
She climbed on his shoulders, and he waded
slowly across, for she was very heavy. When he
reached the other side, he told her to get down,
but she laughed and said : —
"Keep on walking, for I am going to stay with
you for ever. I am your wife now!"
Then the boy grew very angry, and tried to
shake her off, but he could not. She had grown
into the flesh of his shoulders, and stuck fast to
him. So he was forced to carry her into his
lodge.
His father sent for the Medicine Men, but
they could not take the girl off the boy's back.
Then the chief Medicine Man called a Crow that
lived on a tree near the village, and the bird
came quickly to the lodge.
It flew in, and sang a magic song; and in-
stantly the pretty girl turned into a bony old
Witch with pointed chin and red eyes. But she
stuck as fast as ever, and no one could pull her
off.
Then the Crow said, "She is not a human
being, so you must send for the Medicine Woman
and her four daughters, who live in a tepee west
of this village."
They sent a swift runner to the tepee; and
when the Medicine Woman knew what they
wanted her for, she called her four daughters.
THE OLD WITCH 139
She told them to comb and braid their hair and
to paint themselves with magic red ointment, for
they were going to the village to pull an old
Witch from the shoulders of a handsome young
man.
So the four girls sat down and combed their
hair and painted themselves, and their mother
did the same. Then each took in her hand a
magic stick with a crook at the end.
They went to the boy's lodge, and when the
Witch saw them come in she began to hiss. They
ran around the fireplace. Then the eldest girl
pointed her magic stick at the Witch and sang
a magic song. The stick grew, and grew, and
grew, until its crook passed around the Witch's
neck, and her head fell off.
The second daughter pointed her stick, and it
grew, and grew, and grew, until its crook passed
around the Witch's arms, and they both fell
off.
The third and fourth daughters did the same,
and the Witch's legs fell off.
Then all four girls took hold of the Witch's
body with their sticks, and the mother kept
tapping between the body and the boy's shoul-
ders; and they pulled, and pulled, and pulled,
and they pulled a big prickly Burr off the boy's
back!
Then he got up, and carried the Burr out and
threw it in a field.
140 THE WONDER GARDEN
That is why Burdocks grow everywhere, and
why Burrs get into children's hair and stick to
their clothes.
FAIRY COWSLIPS
Folklore
THE yellow Cowslips, hanging their sweet heads,
are Fairy Cups, you know. And Fairy Palaces
they are too, for whenever the pattering raindrops
begin to fall, the little Fays and Elves climb up
the stalks, and rush into the yellow bells. There
they swing and sing until the rain is over.
The Cowslips are the Key Flowers, and find
where the Fairy Gold is hidden. So if you dis-
cover a door overgrown with Cowslip blossoms,
just pick one and touch the door. It will open
softly. Slip in, and you will find a Fairy Hall.
A lovely Fairy Lady is sitting there, wrho will
show you treasure-crocks ranged along the wall
covered with yellow Cowslip blossoms.
Lift the blossoms, and take out all the treasure
you wish. Fill your apron and pockets with the
sparkling precious things. Then cover the
crocks again with the blossoms; but do not
forget the little Key Flower that opened the
door for you.
If the crocks are not neatly covered, and if
you forget to take away the Key Flower, you
may never find the Fairy Hall again. And
THE FOX IN GLOVES 141
when you get home all your treasure will turn
to withered leaves.
THE FOX IN GLOVES
Celtic Folklore
OH! the Fairies are a frisky folk. Very wily,
indeed, are the Little People. They are friends
of bad Master Fox, and help him in his ad-
ventures.
When he starts out at night to steal poultry,
they lend him Foxgloves, to make his feet vel-
vety and noiseless. So with Foxgloves on his
four paws he creeps silently into the barn-
yard, and carries off the fattest Chickens and
Ducks. That is, of course, if the farmer's wife
has not laid out four little mittens where he
can find them; for Master Fox is a gentleman,
they say, and he will not steal your poultry if
you give him little mittens as pretty and speckled
as the Foxgloves.
But you must not tell this out loud, or even
whisper his name, for if you do Master Fox will
be so offended that he'll not take your mittens;
but he will carry away all your best hens.
142 THE WONDER GARDEN
PAN'S LOVELY MAID
WHILOM great Pan, the father of our flocks,
loved a fair lass so famous for her locks. To
keep her slender fingers from the Sun, Pan
through the pastures oftentimes hath run, to
pluck the speckled Foxgloves from their stem,
and on those fingers neatly placed them.
The Honeysuckles would he often strip, and
lay their sweetness on her sweeter lip.
Some say that Nature, while this lovely maid
lived on our plains, the teeming earth arrayed
with Damask Roses in each pleasant place,
that men might liken somewhat to her face.
WILLIAM BROWNE OF TAVISTOCK (condensed)
LISTENING TO THE MAGIC WATERS
ARETHUSA
Arethusa arose
From her couch of snows
In the Acroceraunian mountains, —
From cloud and from crag,
With many a jag,
Shepherding her bright fountains.
She leapt down the rocks,
With her rainbow locks
Streaming among the streams; —
Her steps paved with green
The downward ravine
Which slopes to the western gleams;
And gliding and springing
She went, ever singing,
In murmurs as soft as sleep;
The Earth seemed to love her,
And Heaven smiled above her,
As she lingered towards the deep,
PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY
THE STONE THAT SHED TEARS
Retold from Ovid
OF all the women of Lydia, Niobe might have
been the happiest of mothers but for her pride.
And great was her pride! for whenever she walked
through the streets the people shouted, "Lo!
Niobe comes!"
One day she stepped proudly from her house
surrounded by her attendants. Her curling
hair hung down upon her robe of woven golden
threads. Holding her graceful head high she
haughtily lifted her eyes.
"Ye people of Lydia," she cried, "worship
me! I am Niobe! My grandfather is the
mighty Atlas who holds up the sky. My mother
is the sister of the Pleiades. In my palace are
my seven sons and seven daughters, all beauti-
ful and stately. Greater and more fortunate am
I than Latona, the mother of Apollo-of-the-
Golden-Beams and Diana-of-the-Bended-Bow.
I am well worthy to be worshipped!"
Now Niobe's proud words were heard by
golden-beamed Apollo himself. Quickly he took
in his hand his darts bright like the Sun's rays.
Down to earth he flew, and near him flew his
twin sister, Diana, her robe tucked up and her
146 THE WONDER GARDEN
bow shaped like the silver crescent moon, ready
to shoot.
Together they entered Niobe's palace. And
Apollo with his golden darts smote and killed
her seven sons; while Diana shot her silver-
white arrows into the bosoms of her daughters.
Niobe sat weeping among her dead children.
She wept night and day. Her face grew color-
less. No breeze could move her hair. Her eyes
became fixed. Her tongue congealed and her
heart was without motion. She could not bend
her neck nor move her limbs, for she was hard-
ened; she was turned into stone. Yet she wept
on.
Then a mighty whirlwind arose and carried
her off to the top of a high mountain. And there
her soul was dissolved into tears within her
stony body.
Still ever from the stone distilled a stream of
pure tears that trickled sadly through the grass
and down the mountain -side.
THE WEEPING WATERS
Retold from Ovid
ONCE upon a time, when Magic Waters gushed
from Speaking Roqks, and maidens were trans-
formed into flowers and trees, in a clear blue
pool dwelt the lovely Nymph Cyane.
Often she rose to the surface, and floating
THE WEEPING WATERS 147
there, plucked the fragrant Water-lilies. Some-
times she sat on the green bank, and combed her
azure hair, singing sweetly all the while.
Now, on that day when little Proserpina
danced with her playmates in the flowery
meadow near the pool, Cyane watched her
through the veil of clear blue water. And so
it was that she saw Pluto, the grim King of
Hades, standing in his chariot when it came
leaping from the chasm where the Hundred-
Headed Daffodil had been. And when he
grasped the shrieking Proserpina to carry her
off, Cyane saw that too.
Quickly she rose to the surface of her pool.
"O gloomy Pluto," she cried, "you cannot
have that child against her will! No farther
shall you go."
And stretching wide her arms, she stood in
King Pluto's path.
But he, furious at the Nymph, hurled his
sceptre straight into the depths of her water.
And where it struck a great abyss opened,
down which his horses plunged, while the abyss
closed over his head.
Cyane wept. She wept because the little
Proserpina was stolen from her mother. She
wept because the clear blue water of her pool
was muddied by the feet of King Pluto's horses.
She wept night and day. Her limbs softened.
Her nails melted. Her bones waxed away. Her
148 THE WONDER GARDEN
azure hair, her white fingers, her snowy shoulders,
all dissolved and vanished in little streams of
water. Lastly only pure water flowed through
her veins.
She became transparent, and was changed
into a Fountain of Weeping Waters — a fountain
that for ever sheds clear azure tears for little
Proserpina.
ARETHUSA
Retold from Ovid
Now on that happy day when little Proserpina
returned to earth, her mother Ceres, Keeper-of-
all-the-Cornfields-in-the-World, sought the foun-
tain of the Nymph Arethusa, to listen to her
tale.
She sat down by its waters, and called: —
"O unhappy Nymph, why do you always
wander? Why do you gush from this spot as if
in fear?"
Then from her murmuring fountain the
Nymph Arethusa raised her head, and tossed
back her dripping hair.
"Once," said she, "I was a Nymph of the
lovely Arcadian meadows, and an attendant of
Diana-of-the-Bended-Bow. With light step I
roamed the woods, and set my nets for the fish.
And though I surpassed all the other Nymphs
in looks, yet I modestly blushed if any one spoke
of my beauty.
ARETHUSA 149
"I remember one day returning tired from
the chase. There was no breeze, and the trees
drooped from the heat. I came to a smooth
river that glided noiselessly along, and through
its clear waters the pebbles gleamed like silver.
The hoary Willows swept its surface with their
weeping boughs, while the Poplars spread their
refreshing shade above its watery mirror.
"I sat upon the shelving bank, and bathed
my feet in the cool tide. Then suddenly I heard
a murmuring noise in the midst of the stream.
Frightened I sprang to the top of the bank.
Then from the river, Alpheus, the mighty King
of its waters, raised his foam-covered head.
"'Whither dost thou hasten, 0 Arethusa?'
he cried from his waves. 'Whither dost thou
hasten?' cried he again in hollow tones.
"I fled, and he pursued me; even as the Dove
with trembling wings is wont to flee from the
Hawk, and as the fierce Hawk pursues the
trembling Dove.
"I ran over fields and over rocks and
crags, and where there were no paths. Alpheus
hastened after. I heard the sound of his feet
close behind me, and his breath fanned my hair.
Wearily I stretched out my arms to the Moon
that rode pale and serene in the sky. Then
Diana took pity on me, and flung a soft white
cloud about me.
"Alpheus looked and I was gone. I was
150 THE WONDER GARDEN
hidden by the cloud. Then twice he cried out,
'O Arethusa! O Arethusa!' and I trembled as
does the Lamb concealed from the Wolf.
"Yet Alpheus did not depart, but remained
watching the cloud that hid me.
"Fright shook my limbs. Cold azure drops
distilled from my body. Wherever I moved my
foot was a pool of blue water. Bright drops
trickled from my hair. And in the twinkling of
an eye I was changed into a fountain.
"Then Alpheus saw my form in my trans-
parent stream, and quickly he became a river,
and pursued me again.
"Diana in pity cleft the earth, and I sprang
through a chasm. Down, down through the
dark underground caverns went my rushing
waves, while behind me, bounding and roaring,
came the waters of Alpheus' river.
"And at this spot, O Ceres, Keeper-of-all-the-
Corn-Fields-in-the- World, I rise as a fountain,
gushing from the earth. And Alpheus, rushing
upward, mingles his cold dark stream with mine."
So sighed the Nymph Arethusa, and ending
her tale, again hid her dripping form in her
fountain.
LITTLE HYLAS
Retold from Theocritus and Other Sources
THROUGH the blue salt waves the good Ship
Argo bounded. On her deck stood Jason and
LITTLE HYLAS 151
all his brave comrades. Eagerly they gazed
across the water, for they were going on a won-
derful adventure, to fetch home the Golden
Fleece from Colchis.1
Among those famous heroes was the Mighty
Hercules wrapped in his lion-skin. By his side
stood his favourite lad, little Hylas, beautiful
little Hylas, his yellow hair blowing in the wind.
Onward bounded the good Ship Argo, and
when evening came it anchored near a strange
shore. The heroes leaped out upon the sand.
Some hastened to build fires, others killed an Ox
for roasting, and still others ran about gathering
wild fruits. But Hercules wandered off by him-
self to find a tree to make into a knotted club.
Then thought little Hylas: —
"I will go and bring some fresh cold water to
surprise Hercules when he returns."
Night was falling. The Moon was risen, and
by her white light little Hylas, carrying a
brazen urn on his shoulder, hastened along a
path through the wood. Soon he saw before
him a hollow in which shone a bright pool set
round with Ferns and Rushes.
He stepped down into the hollow. Tinkling
laughter sounded at his side. He looked about.
No one was near him, but he thought that he
saw shadowy maidens in flowing garments, sway-
ing hand in hand among the moonlit trees.
1 See page 383.
152 THE WONDER GARDEN
He knelt down among the Ferns on the margin
of the pool, and thought again that he saw lovely
faces of shadowy maidens smiling at him from
its brightness. He plunged his urn into the
gurgling water. Mischievous laughter came
rushing upward. Then, wonder of wonders!
many white arms shot up from the water, and,
clinging around his neck, drew him down head-
long into the pool. He gave one wild cry, and
the cold ripples closed over him.
Then, lo ! he found himself on a bright pebbly
floor, while many laughing Naiads were press-
ing their lovely faces close to his, and were
holding him tightly in their white arms. They
took him in their laps, and, drying his tears with
kisses, bade him weep no more.
Now, the mighty Hercules, wandering in the
wood, had heard the cry of his beloved boy,
and knew his voice.
"Hylas!" he shouted, "Hylas!" and again,
"Hylas!"
Then, like a roaring Lion, he rushed through
the wood, breaking down bushes and crashing
through trees. Over trackless ways he raged,
through valleys and across mountains; but little
Hylas was gone, and gone for ever.
The beautiful boy was with the Naiads, who
were feeding him on ambrosial scented cakes
and honey-dew.
CATCHING INSECTS GREEN AND BLUE
HOW ENDYMION MADE A GOLDEN
BUTTERFLY
A Wild-Rose tree
Pavilions him in bloom, and he doth see
A bud which snares his fancy. Lo ! but now
He plucks it, dips its stalk in the water: how!
It swells, it buds, it flowers beneath his sight;
And, in the middle, there is softly pight
A Golden Butterfly; upon whose wings
There must be surely character' d strange things!
JOHN KEATS
CHANT OF THE INDIAN CHILDREN
TO WATASEE, THE FIREFLY
Firefly! Firefly! Bright little thing,
Light me to bed, and my song I will sing.
Give me your light, as you fly o'er my head,
That I may merrily go to my bed.
Give me your light, o'er the grass as you creep,
That 1 may joyfully go to my sleep.
Come, little Firefly, — come, little beast —
Come ! and I 'II make you to-morrow a feast.
Come, little candle, that flies as I sing,
Bright little Fairy-bug, Night's little King;
Come, and I 'II dance as you guide me along,
Come, and I'll pay you, my bug, with a song!
HENRY SCHOOLCRAFT
GLEAM-O'-DAY AND PRINCESS
LOTUS-FLOWER
Chinese Tale
ONCE upon a time, in the days of the Shining
Dynasty, there lived a wise young man named
Gleam-o'-Day. One night he was sleeping, and
the moonlight was playing on his bed, when he
saw a strange man stand beside him.
"Who are you?" grumbled Gleam-o'-Day,
not wishing to be disturbed.
"The Prince is asking for you," said the
man.
"What Prince?"
"The Prince of a near-by land."
Gleam-o'-Day grumbled more, got up and
put on his court robe. The man then led him
outdoors, where a beautiful palanquin was
waiting, borne by a retinue of richly dressed
servants.
Gleam-o'-Day reclined in the palanquin,
which was carried swiftly along. At length he
arrived at a strange land, and found himself
amid numerous pavilions with towers and
pointed roofs. The air was filled with a pleasant
humming sound, but he could not tell from
whence it came.
The palanquin was set down hi the courtyard
156 THE WONDER GARDEN
of a large palace. Immediately twenty young
girls, dressed in shining yellow garments, came
hurrying to greet Gleam-o'-Day, and escorted
him into a large audience chamber. There on
the throne sat a handsome Prince.
The Prince descended from his throne. "Wel-
come, Gleam-o'-Day," said he. "You perfume
the neighbourhood! We have heard of your
wisdom and knowledge, and have longed greatly
to see you."
Thereupon he led Gleam-o'-Day to the seat
of honour, and the young girls brought wine of
honey and little cakes, and served him.
"Tell me, Gleam-o'-Day," said the Prince,
"among the flowers which do you prefer?"
"The Lotus-Flower," said Gleam-o'-Day,
without hesitation.
"The Lotus-Flower!" exclaimed the Prince.
"Strange! That is my daughter's name! You
must know the Princess."
Then he made a sign, and the young girls has-
tened away, and soon returned with the Princess.
She was sixteen years old, and of a beauty sur-
passing anything that Gleam-o'-Day had ever
seen. Her brown robe was embroidered with
yellow silk, and a golden girdle confined her
slender waist. Indeed her waist was so very
slender that it seemed to Gleam-o'-Day that
her body was almost divided in two.
Gleam-o'-Day looked at her and was troubled.
GLEAM-O'-DAY 157
Her beauty bewildered his mind and made his
heart beat with both pain and joy. But before
he could speak, the twenty young girls rushed
in, crying out: —
"A monster has entered the palace! It is a
Serpent twenty feet long! It has devoured some
of our people! It's head is like a mountain
peak!"
Then the Prince and his retainers began to
run hither and thither seeking some place to
hide in. And the Princess and the young girls
were crying for help.
"Come to my house," said Gleam-o'-Day to
the Prince. "Come, fly thither with the Prin-
cess Lotus-Flower. You will be safe there!"
"Yes! Yes!" cried the Prince, seizing his
daughter's wrist. "Let us go as quickly as
possible."
So all three ran from the palace; and in an in-
stant Gleam-o'-Day found himself, with the
Prince and the Princess Lotus-Flower, standing
in his own room. The Princess cast herself
weeping upon the pillow of his bed; and at the
same moment Gleam-o'-Day moved, and woke.
The room was empty.
It was a dream!
Just then Gleam-o'-Day heard his father
crying out in terror from the next room. There
was a struggle and a blow. Gleam-o'-Day
sprang up, and rushed in. The old man was
158 THE WONDER GARDEN
pushing away the dead body of a huge Serpent
that he had killed with his stick.
Gleam-o'-Day returned to his room, and,
wonder of wonders! a swarm of Bees covered his
bed, while the Queen Bee herself had alighted
on his pillow!
PRINCE GOLDEN-FIREFLY
Japanese Folktale
ONCE in the moat of an ancient castle in Japan,
there floated a rose-colored Lotus-Flower. Deep
in its fragrant heart dwelt the King-of-All-the-
Fireflies, with his beautiful daughter, the Prin-
cess Firefly.
Very wonderful was the Lotus-Flower Palace
to the little Princess! Often on warm summer
nights she sat on the edge of one of its pink petals,
and peeped out at the lovely world around her.
She longed to fly across the moat and play in the
flower-garden of the castle; but she knew that
her father would not allow her to leave the
Lotus.
As she grew older, the beautiful white light
that she carried under her wings became so
brilliant that she looked like a golden lamp
shedding silvery rays. Then, as she sat on the
Lotus petal, and watched the other Fireflies
darting and wheeling in the air, and flashing
past in joyous dance, she wept to think that she
PRINCE GOLDEN-FIREFLY 159
could not show her wonderful white light to all
the world.
Now, the Princess Firefly had many suitors,
but none of them carried a firefly light. Prince
Hawk-Moth, Prince Beetle, Prince Dragon-Fly,
and many others laid their gifts at her feet, and
humbly sought her heart. But her only answer
was: —
"Never will I marry a Prince who is not as
luminous as the brightest Star! Go and bring
me white fire, and then I will be your bride."
Immediately, all the suitors set out to search
for the white fire. Prince Hawk-Moth flew into
a temple, and circled around and around the
flame of a tall candle, hoping to get some of its
fire for the Princess, at length he flew clum-
sily into the flame, and fell scorched and dying
to the ground.
Prince Beetle, who had been watching, like-
wise flew into the flame, and was burned and
died.
But Prince Dragon-Fly first sunned his red
burnished wings, then hastened away to Mount
Fuji to steal some of the fire from its bosom.
But he, too, perished.
So it was with all the suitors, they sought the
white fire in vain, and strewed the way with their
dead bodies; for not one could find and bring
the great gift to the Princess.
Now, in the castle-garden, in the heart of a
160 THE WONDER GARDEN
White-Lily palace, there lived Prince Golden
Firefly. The light he carried under his wings
was so dazzling that on dark nights it illumined
the whole garden, and when he flew over the
still water of the moat, his beautiful form was
reflected in it, so that it seemed as if a sheet of
golden flame spread over the water.
When the Prince heard of the beautiful Prin-
cess Firefly and her suitors, he flew swiftly to
the Lotus-Flower Palace. As he entered, a flood
of golden light filled the flower, and so overcame
the heart of the Princess that she at once con-
sented to become his bride.
Soon the two were wedded, and away they
flew to the castle-garden to hold their marriage
feast. All the Fireflies for miles around came
darting like a thousand sparks through the ah*.
And when the moonlight flooded the garden, the
revels began.
The flowers gave out their richest perfumes,
the wind breathed low, and like a gold and silver
cloud the Fireflies danced through the garden.
But the most happy and brilliant of them all
were the little Princess and her bridegroom,
Prince Golden-Firefly.
PRINCE BUTTERFLY 161
PRINCE BUTTERFLY AND CLOVER
BLOSSOM
Louisa M. Alcott
IN a quiet, pleasant meadow, where green old
trees waved their branches as the Summer
winds went singing by, bloomed a sisterhood of
flowers. A neighbouring brook rippled musi-
cally, and passing clouds cast shadows upon the
waving grass below.
The flowers were very happy together in this
pleasant spot. No cold winds came to blight
them, no rude hands tore them from their stems.
Warm Sunbeams smiled on them all day long,
and the Dewdrops refreshed them at night with
a cooling drink.
One morning when the flowers awoke, fragrant
and fresh, a little Worm came creeping by.
"Oh, pity and love me," sighed the little
Worm. "Give me shelter, dear Flowers. I am
lonely, poor, and weak. A little spot for a rest-
ing place is all I ask. Only let me lie in the deep,
green Moss, and weave my little tomb, and
sleep my long, unbroken sleep, until Spring's
first flowers come. Then will I come forth in
Fairy dress, and repay your gentle care for a
poor Worm. Kind Flowers, let me stay!"
But none of the proud flowers would give
shelter to the poor Worm.
162 THE WONDER GARDEN
Wild Rose showed her little thorns, while her
soft face glowed with pride.
Violet hid beneath some drooping Ferns; and
the Daisy turned her face away.
Little Bluet laughed scornfully as she danced
on her slender stem; while Cowslip bent down
and whispered the tale to the brook.
A Blue-Eyed Grass looked down on the poor
Worm as She silently turned away.
"You will harm our delicate leaves," she said;
"that is why you may not stay."
At that moment a sweet voice called from a
distance: —
"Come here, poor Worm, come to me. The
sunshine lies warm in this quiet spot. I will share
my home with you."
The flowers all looked in wonder to see who
had offered the Worm a home.
To their surprise they found Clover Blossom,
with fluttering wings, beckoning him to come.
From her snug little nook, where the cool
winds rustled by, and the murmuring Bees
and Butterflies loved to come, her rosy face
smiled kindly down as the friendless Worm drew
near.
"Poor thing, you are welcome here," she said
in a soft voice. "In the green Moss close at my
side you may sleep until Spring comes. I will
spread my leaves over you, and guard you
through the long Winter."
PRINCE BUTTERFLY 163
Then, deep in a Moss-bed, the grateful Worm
spun his winter home, and lay down for his
long rest.
And well did Clover Blossom keep her watch.
Autumn came and took all her sister flowers.
Then, when it was time for her to go, she spread
her withered leaves softly over the sleeping
Worm, and bent her faithful little head beneath
the Winter Snow.
Spring came again, and the flowers arose from
their Winter sleep. How gaily they danced on
their slender stems, and sang their songs with
the rippling waves of the brook. The warm
winds kissed their cheeks, as one by one they
came again to dwell in their summer homes.
Little Clover Blossom bloomed once more,
and watched patiently by the mossy bed where
the Worm still lay quietly sleeping.
Her sister flowers cried scornfully, as they
waved in the Summer air: —
"Come and dance with us, little Clover.
That ugly Worm was poor and friendless. He
will not come again in Fairy dress. Don't be-
lieve what a Worm tells you. At any rate he
lies in the green Moss dead. So come and be
happy with us."
But little Clover kept" watch, for she did not
doubt the poor Worm's truth. She trusted that
he would come as he had said.
At last she felt the Moss at her side move.
164 THE WONDER GARDEN
Then a small cell opened wide, and out flew a
glittering Butterfly, that soared up to the
Summer sky on golden wings.
Then the flowers cried out: —
"Clover, your watching was hi vain. It is as
we told you. He will never come again."
And the unkind flowers danced for joy, as
they watched him silently soar away.
Little Clover bowed her head in silence. As
she drooped, she heard a Daisy say: —
"0 sisters, look, I see him now! He is float-
ing back from Cloudland. Spread wide your
leaves, that he may choose the one he deems
most fair."
Then Wild Rose glowed with a deep blush, as
she proudly waved on her stem.
Cowslip bent to look at herself in the rippling
brook.
Little Bluet merrily danced, and spread out
her leaves wide.
And Daisy whispered her joy and hope to
Violet, who peeped out from the tall green
Ferns to watch the glittering form of the Butter-
fly, that shone in the Summer sky.
Nearer and nearer the bright form came, and
fairer and fairer grew the blossoms. Each wel-
comed him in her sweetest tones, and each
offered him honey and dew.
But in vain did they beckon and smile and
call. He floated past Violet, Daisy, and Rose,
ANANSI THE SPIDER-MAN 165
and went straight to the pleasant home of
Clover Blossom, the flower most truly fair.
"Dear Flower," he said, "when I was alone
and friendless you watched over me, and cared
for me. Now I will try to show the thanks
the poor Worm could not tell. And you shall
find, dear faithful Flower, a loving friend in me."
Then through the long bright Summer hours,
through sunshine and rain, lived happily to-
gether Clover and Prince Butterfly.
Paraphrased by ADA M. SKINNER
ANANSI THE SPIDER-MAN
Stories from the Gold Coast
THESE are stories about the Spider-Man, Anansi,
which the African Grandfather tells to the chil-
dren of the Gold Coast: —
Come, comrades, listen to a tale. Once upon
a time there was a man named Anansi. He was
a cunning and deceitful creature, who liked to
get the better of his neighbours; but he was
punished for his badness. Listen now to
WHY SPIDERS LIVE IN DARK CORNERS
THERE was a time when Anansi was a very in-
dustrious farmer. One year he and his wife and
son planted a large farm with Yams, Maize, and
Beans. The crops flourished.
166 THE WONDER GARDEN
When the harvest came it was ten times
greater than any Anansi had ever had before.
And very well pleased he was, as you may be-
lieve, to have such a store of Corn, Beans, and
Yams for the Winter. But the more he thought
about all the nice vegetables, the less he wished
to keep them for Winter.
Now, Anansi was greedy and bad-hearted, and
did not like to share anything with anybody, not
even with his wife and son. So when he saw
that the crops were quite ripe, he called his wife
and son, and said to them: —
"We have worked hard raising our vegetables.
They have repaid us well. Let us gather the
harvest into our barn."
So they gathered in the harvest.
Then Anansi said: "Now we three need a rest.
Go home to the village and have a good time for
three weeks, while I am away on business.
WTien I get back we'll come to the farm and
have a great feast."
His wife and son thought that this was a good
plan, and went to their house in the village.
But the cunning Anansi did not go away on
business; oh, no! He stayed there on the farm
and built himself a nice little thatched hut with
everything to cook with in it. Then each night
he crept softly from the hut, and fetched a great
quantity of vegetables from the barn, and
feasted greedily all by himself.
ANANSI THE SPIDER-MAN 167
It happened in about two weeks that Anansi's
son said to his mother: "I will go and weed the
farm, and surprise father when he returns."
So he went. But what was his wonder when
he looked into the barn to see that half the rich
harvest was gone!
"Robbers have been here!" thought he. "I
must hurry and catch them before they steal
everything!"
So he went back to the village and told the
people, and they helped him make a Rubber
Man, black, grinning, and very sticky. This
they carried to the farm, and set down in the
middle of the field to frighten the robbers. Then
some of the young men stayed with Anansi's son
to watch in the barn.
When it was quite dark Anansi came out of
his hut to fetch more food. As he was creeping
through the field he saw the figure of a strange
man in front of him. At first he was very much
frightened, but seeing that the man did not
move, he went up to him.
"What do you want here?" said he.
But there was no answer.
"What do you want here?" said he again,
getting angry.
But still no answer.
So Anansi, in a rage, hit the man a blow on the
cheek with his right hand. And his right hand
stuck fast hi the rubber.
168 THE WONDER GARDEN
"Let me go," cried he, gnashing his teeth,
"or I'll hit you again!"
And he hit the man a blow on the other cheek
with his left hand. And his left hand stuck fast
in the rubber.
"How dare you hold me!" cried he, foaming
with rage. "Let me go or I '11 kill you ! "
Then he put up his right foot to kick him-
self free. And his right foot stuck fast in the
rubber.
Then he kicked with his left foot, and pressed
with both his knees against the man. And his left
foot and his knees stuck fast in the rubber.
So there Anansi had to hang helpless until
daybreak. Then his son and the young men
came out of the barn to catch the robber, and
very much astonished they were, as you may
well believe, to find that the evil-doer was Anansi
himself !
After that Anansi was so ashamed that he
changed himself into a Spider, and hid away
from sight in a dark corner of the ceiling. And
ever since then Spiders have been found in dark
places, where people are not likely to see them.
WHY SPIDERS LIVE UNDER STONES
THIS is another tale of Anansi, the greedy
Spider-Man. Once there was a sore famine in
the land. The villagers were thin and pale for
ANANSI THE SPIDER-MAN 169
lack of food. Only one family was fat and well.
This was the household of Anansi's cousin, Kofi.
So Anansi was determined to find out how his
cousin got food.
Now it had happened this way: —
One morning when Kofi was hunting, he found
a wonderful Mill-stone. It ground flour of its
own accord, heaps and heaps of rich yellow corn-
flour. Near it ran a stream of honey.
Kofi was delighted. He sat down by the
Stone, and made cakes, and ate them, and drank
all the honey he wanted. Then he carried away
enough flour and honey for his family. So this
is why his wife and children were fat and well,
while the other villagers were thin and hungry.
Well, as I said, Anansi was determined to find
out how Kofi got food, and he gave his cousin
no peace until he told him about the Stone, and
promised to show him the wonderful spot where
it was. Kofi said that he would take him there
the next day.
So in the morning, about the time when
women begin the day's work, they both set off
for the forest. And as soon as Anansi saw the
Stone he cried out in a loud voice: —
"Ho! ho! Here is plenty of food for me! I
need never go hungry again!"
"Hush!" said his cousin. "You must not
shout here! It is a magic spot. Sit down quietly
and eat your fill."
170 THE WONDER GARDEN
So they sat down. But when they had eaten
all they wanted, and had drunk enough honey,
Anansi shouted again: —
"Ha! ha! Now I'll take the Stone with me!"
And in spite of all that Kofi could say, he
lifted the Stone on to the top of his head, and
went staggering through the forest toward the
village.
But as he went the Stone cried out: —
"Spider! Spider! Put me down!
The Pig came, ate enough, and left me!
The Antelope came, ate enough, and left me!
Kofi came, ate enough, and left me!
Greedy Spider! Put me down!"
But Anansi only laughed scornfully, and went
staggering along, and would not put the Stone
down.
Then the Stone began to grind and grind the
top of Anansi's head.
He tried to throw it onto the grass, but it
stuck fast to him, and went on grinding. It
ground, and it ground, and it ground, around
ancf around, until at last Anansi was ground into
a thousand little pieces lying in the grass under
the Stone.
That is why to-day, whenever one lifts up a
big Stone, one finds so many small Spiders
under it.
LADYBIRD! LADYBIRD! 171
LADYBIRD! LADYBIRD!
Folktale
ONCE upon a time, there was a poor little girl,
who liked to play with Ladybirds, and to sing
to them : —
"Ladybird, Ladybird, fly away home,
Your house is on fire, your children will burn."
One day while she was playing in the wood, a
lovely little carriage, drawn by a hundred red
Ladybirds drove up. She stepped into it, and
was carried through the air straight to a cottage,
in front of which sat a beautiful lady spinning.
The lady rose when she saw the little girl, and,
taking her by the hand, led her into the cottage,
saying: —
"I sent for you, dear child, because there is a
dreadful war being fought in your land. I wish
you to stay with me until it is over."
So the little girl stayed with her five years.
At the end of that time, the carriage drawn
by the hundred red Ladybirds, drove up again,
and the lady put the little girl into it, saying: —
"Good-bye, dear child, the war is over."
The little girl was carried through the air to her
parent's cottage; and they, as you may guess,
were overjoyed to see her. Then they found the
carriage filled with fine things for the little girl.
172 THE WONDER GARDEN
THE BOY WHO CAUGHT FLIES
Old Legend
ONCE upon a time, there was a boy named
Campion. He was an idle, worthless fellow, and
would never have worked at all, if he had not
been afraid of his mistress Minerva, — Pallas-
Athena as some folk call her, — who was the
wisest of all the Dwellers-on-Mount-Olympus.
She kept him busy every minute catching Flies
for her pet Owl.
He was afraid of her frown; and very good
reason he had, for she was stern and awful.
Large, steadfast, and grey were her eyes. Over
her ringlets she wore a helmet. On her arm she
carried the fearful aegis — or shield — in the
centre of which was graven the snaky head of
the Gorgon Medusa.
But, though she was usually armed like a war-
rior maiden, Minerva liked far better to be clad
in homespun, and to sit weaving and spinning.
Many were the beautiful gifts, made with her
own hands, that she bestowed on good and
happy mortals. But when people were lazy,
idle, or wasteful, she frowned so terribly that
they shook and trembled for fear of her wrath.
Wherever she wandered about the world be-
stowing her gifts or punishments, the pet Owl
went with her, rolling his wise eyes and flapping
THE BOY WHO CAUGHT FLIES 173
his dusky wings. And a ravenously hungry bird
he was, gobbling Flies every minute of the day.
So, to satisfy his enormous appetite, Campion
had to run around the meadows, catching hand-
fuls of Flies, and putting them into a little
bladder he carried.
One day Campion thought that Minerva was
too far away to see him, so he curled up under a
tree to take a nap. But she did see him. For
her Owl grew hungrier and hungrier, and she
came with stately stride into the meadow, to
find why Campion was not bringing Flies for her
pet's dinner.
There she saw him curled up comfortably,
the empty bladder lying by his side.
Frowning her most awful frown, she touched
him. Instantly he was transformed into a plant
holding up clusters of white flowers, the stems of
which were covered with a sticky substance. The
Flies came buzzing around, and in a second they
were caught and held tight in the sticky juice.
So the Owl had all that he wanted for dinner.
After that the little plant, Bladder Campion
— or Fly Catcher — had to stand night and
day catching Flies for the Owl. And you can
find him for yourself in the garden, with all his
children around him. Night and day they are
busily catching Flies and other insects.
174 THE WONDER GARDEN
TITHONUS, THE GRASSHOPPER
Retold from the Homeric Hymns and Other Sources
AURORA, the Rosy-Fingered Child of Dawn,
arose from her couch hi the eastern Sky and
donned her saffron robe. Then mounting her
rose-colored car she threw back her flowing veil
and opened the Gates of Day. She urged her
white steeds through the Sky. Night and Sleep
fled before her, while her maidens, the happy
Hours, floated by her side.
High above the earth the white steeds bore
the car, and Aurora scattered Roses and refresh-
ing dew on the grass beneath. And as she looked
down she saw Prince Tithonus of Troy standing
in the royal garden. A very beautiful youth he
was, with golden curls clustering on his white
forehead.
Swiftly Aurora guided her steeds to earth,
and lifting Tithonus into her car carried him off
to her golden palace beyond the Gates of Day.
And there in the Land of Dawn she wedded him.
Years passed, and Tithonus grew older. Then
Aurora, who loved him tenderly, trembled at
the thought that he might die. So she flew in
her car to Mount Olympus and begged Jupiter
to grant him immortal life. Jupiter consented;
and Aurora, returning joyfully to her palace, fed
Tithonus on Ambrosia and red Nectar to make
THE MORNING-GLORY FAN 175
him live forever, and clothed him in unfading
Olympian garments.
More years passed by, and still more years.
Tithonus grew grey and decrepit, and his voice
became feeble, because — alas! — Aurora had
forgotten to ask for the gift of Eternal Youth.
So the wretched Tithonus could not die, but
grew older and older. He became Smaller and
smaller, and Aurora wrapped him in swaddling
clothes and laid him in a cradle.
At last, when he was many hundreds of years
old, Aurora, out of pity, changed him into a
Grasshopper and carried him back to earth.
That is why to-day Tithonus, withered and
small, goes chirping and hopping about in the
grass.
THE MORNING-GLORY FAN
Japanese Tale
IN the Island of the Dragon-Fly, the Land of the
Rising Sun, where the Cherry-Blossoms lie like
snow clouds on the Cherry-Trees, and the Peach
Blooms fall pink on the grass, there once lived a
little Japanese maid. She was called Morning-
Glory, and why she was called that, listen, and
you shall hear.
It happened one warm Summer night that the
Little Maid went down to the river and saw her
companions, the village maidens, sporting on the
176 THE WONDER GARDEN
water in their small boats. And as the maidens
darted here and there, they tried to catch with
their hands the sparkling Fireflies that sailed
past in the air like strange Fire-Flowers or hosts
of wandering Stars. '
The Little Maid climbed into her boat, and
soon she, too, was catching Fireflies with the
gay throng. She held the shining insects on her
fingers, or laid them against her soft black hair,
laughing with glee.
While she played thus on the river she met
and loved a stranger youth, whose name was
Miyagi. And when they parted she gave him
her fan, on which were painted trailing Morning-
Glories. On his own fan Miyagi wrote a song
about the Morning-Glories, and gave it to the
Little Maid; then he went his way and returned
to his home in a distant land.
But alas! when the Little Maid reached her
home she found that her parents had betrothed
her to a man whom she had never seen.
At the thought of Miyagi her heart seemed
to burst. So she left her home, and started out
in search of him. Many weary days she went
up and down the world, weeping great salt tears.
And little by little the tears quenched the light
of her eyes, and she became blind.
But still she wandered on from village to
village, from town to town, singing the little
Morning-Glory song Miyagi had written on
THE MORNING-GLORY FAN 177
the fan, for she thought: "If he hears it,
he will come to me." So people called her
" Morning-Glory."
It happened one day that Miyagi rested him-
self in a tea-house, and saw the song he had
composed written on a screen. Eagerly he
questioned the master of the tea-house.
"It was written," answered he, "by a blind
maiden, who left her home because her parents
betrothed her to a man she could not marry.
Now she is searching the world over for the
youth she loves. To him belongs this song.
Therefore she ever sings it, hoping that some
day he may hear her."
Miyagi could hardly control his joy.
"Bring her hither to me," said he, "and let
her sing before me."
The Little Maid came, and sang so sweetly
that his heart was strangely moved. And as he
gazed on her beautiful, sad face and sightless
eyes, he longed to declare his love, but kept
silent because of the strangers present.
"I will come back another day," thought he.
But before leaving, he presented her with the
fan on which were painted trailing Morning-
Glories.
Scarce was he gone when the Little Maid
eagerly felt of the fan with her soft fingers; and
she knew it for the one she had given her lover
so long ago.
178 THE WONDER GARDEN
"Oh, tell me," she cried to the master of the
tea-house, "oh, tell me if there are trailing
Morning-Glories on this fan!"
And he answered, "Yes, Morning-Glories are
painted on it."
Then the Little Maid cried out with joy; and,
wonder of wonders ! the tears of joy healed her eyes,
and her vision returned clearer than it was before.
And she rose up and followed the way her
lover had taken. All night long she travelled
over rough and stony roads, and when the morn-
ing was breaking she climbed with bleeding feet
a high mountain. As she reached the summit
the day dawned in all its glorious colours. And
she heard a voice calling, and calling sweetly: —
" Morning-Glory !"
She looked and saw Miyagi waiting for her.
Then what happiness was theirs! How gladly
she let him lead her to his home, where the wed-
ding feast was preparing!
As for the Morning-Glory flower, it lasts but
a short tune, while the love of little Morning-
Glory and Miyagi lasted years and years.
WANDERING THROUGH THE EN-
CHANTED FOREST
UNA AND HER LION
Her angel's face
As the great eye of Heaven shined bright,
And made a sunshine in the shady place.
Did never mortal eye behold such heavenly grace!
The Lion would not leave her desolate,
But with her went along, as a strong guard
Of her chaste person, and a faithful mate
Of her sad troubles and misfortunes hard.
He kissed her weary feet,
And licked her lily hands with fawning tongue,
As he her wronged innocence did weet.
Oh, how can beauty master the most strong!
The day is spent, and cometh drowsy Night,
When every creature shrouded is in sleep.
Sad Una down her lays in weary plight,
And at her feet the Lion watch doth keep.
EDMUND SPENSER (arranged)
THE WHITE HARE OF INABA
Japanese Legend
ONCE upon a time, there were eighty-one brothers
who were Princes. Eighty of the brothers were
jealous of one another, and were always quarrel-
ling. But the youngest was good and gentle and
did not like their bad ways.
Now each of the quarrelsome brothers wished
to marry the Princess of Yakami in Inaba. So
they decided to visit her, and persuade her to
choose one of them for a husband.
After quarrelling very hard, they set out,
taking their youngest brother to carry their bag.
The eighty brothers went on ahead, for the
youngest could not travel fast because the bag
was so heavy.
By and by the eighty brothers came to the
seashore, and on the sand they saw a little
white Hare with most of its fur torn off. The
brothers laughed very hard at the poor little
thing.
"If you wish your fur to grow again," they
cried, "go bathe in the sea; and after you have
done so, run to and fro on the top of yonder high
hiH and let the hot Wind blow on you!" And
they laughed again and went on.
The little Hare limped down to the sea, and
182 THE WONDER GARDEN
jumped into the water and bathed. Then it
limped up the hill and lay down to let the hot
Wind blow on it. The hot Wind blew and blew,
and the poor Hare's skin, all wet with salt water,
dried, cracked, and split open. And there the
little creature lay, moaning with pain, when the
gentle youngest brother drew near.
"Where is your fur? Why are you suffering
so?" asked the youngest brother.
"Please wait a minute, and I'll tell you,'* said
the Hare, weeping. "I was in the Island of
Oki, and wished to cross to this place, so I said
to the Crocodiles: 'I want to know how many
Crocodiles are in the sea. Arrange yourselves in
a row, and let me count you.'
"Then the Crocodiles formed a long line with
their horny bodies from the Island of Oki to this
beach. I hastened across, leaping from back to
back; and when I reached the last Crocodile, I
cried out: 'You silly beasts! As if I cared how
many Crocodiles are in the sea! I only wished
to use you for a bridge!' And immediately that
last Crocodile raised its head, and tore off my
fur with its sharp teeth."
"Well! Well!" said the youngest brother.
"It served you right, for you lied to them. Bu'
is this all of your story?"
"No," said the Hare. "Your eighty brothers
passed by, and laughed. They told me to bathe
in the sea, and to let the hot Wind blow upon me,
THE TIGER AND THE MAN 183
and I did. My skin dried, and cracked, and
split open."
"Ah, my poor little Hare!" said the youngest
brother pityingly. "Bathe in fresh water, and
roll in the pollen of the sedges, and your fur will
come again."
So the little Hare limped down to the river,
and bathed in fresh water. Then it rolled in the
pollen of the sedges; and immediately its skin
was healed, and its fur came again, white and
handsome.
Then the grateful Hare ran after the young-
est brother, crying: "Your eighty quarrelling,
wicked brothers shall never get the Princess. It
is you she will choose, and you will reign over
Inaba."
And so it was. For the eighty brothers quar-
relled so hard that the Princess turned them
out of her kingdom. But she chose the gentle
youngest brother; and they were married and
ruled happily over Inaba.
STORY OF THE TIGER AND THE
MAN
Tibetan Folktale
ONCE upon a time, there was a Father Tiger
who lived in a certain forest, and had a family of
three children. He grew old and began to fail; so
iust before his death he sent for them, and said : —
184 THE WONDER GARDEN
"Remember, my children, the Tiger is the lord
of the jungle. He roams about at will, and
makes a prey of the other animals, and none
can gainsay him.
"But there is one animal against whom you
must be on your guard. He alone is more power-
ful and cunning than the Tiger. That animal is
Man. And I warn you solemnly, before I die,
to beware of Man, and on no account to hunt
him or kill him."
So saying, the old Tiger turned on his side and
died.
The three young Tigers obeyed him for some
time; and if they came within sight or scent of
any human being, made off as fast as they could
from so dangerous a neighbourhood.
But the youngest Tiger, as he grew older and
stronger, thought to himself: —
"What, after all, can be this creature Man,
that I should not slay him? I am told that he
is a defenceless animal, and that his strength can-
not be compared with mine, and that his claws and
teeth are quite blunt. I can pull down the largest
Stag, or tackle the fiercest Boar, — why then
should I not be able to kill and eat Man also?"
So after a while, in his conceit and folly, he
set out to search for Man.
He had not gone far when he met an old Ox,
thin and sick, with marks of scars on his back.
Walking up to him, he said: —
THE TIGER AND THE MAN 185
"What sort of an animal are you, pray? Are
you Man?"
"No, indeed," said the creature, "I am only a
poor Ox."
" Ah ! " said the Tiger. " Well, perhaps you can
tell me what sort of an animal Man is. I am
hunting for one, to kill him."
"Beware of Man, young Tiger," replied the
Ox. "He is a dangerous, faithless creature. Just
look at me. From the time I was young, I was
Man's servant. I carried loads for him on my
back, as you may see by these scars. I slaved
for him faithfully and well. But as soon as I
was old and weak he turned me out into the wild
jungle to seek my food. He gave no thought for
me in my old age.
"Therefore I warn you to beware of Man, and
not to try to kill him. He is very cunning and
dangerous."
But the young Tiger only laughed, and went
his way.
Soon afterward he met an ancient Elephant
feeding with its trunk on the grasses and leaves
it loves so well. The old animal had a wrinkled
skin, and one small bleary eye. Behind his ears
were cuts and scars, showing where the iron
goad had struck him.
"What sort of an animal are you?" said the
young Tiger, walking up to him. "You are not
Man, I suppose?"
186 THE WONDER GARDEN
"No, indeed," replied the old creature. "I
am only a poor worn-out Elephant."
"Is that so?" answered the Tiger. "Perhaps
you can tell me what sort of an animal Man is.
I am hunting for one to kill him."
"Beware how you hunt Man, young Tiger,"
replied the old Elephant. "He is a dangerous,
faithless creature. Look at my case. Although
I am lord of the jungle, Man tamed me, and
made me his servant. He put a saddle on my
back, and struck me often with an iron goad.
When I was young and could serve him, he fed
me and cared for me. I had a groom who used
to wash me and tend to all my wants. But
when I became old and too feeble to work, Man
turned me out into the jungle to find food for
myself.
"So take my advice, and leave Man alone, or
it will be worse for you in the end."
But the young Tiger only laughed again, and
passed on.
After a while, he heard some one chopping
wood, and creeping near, saw a Woodcutter
felling a tree. Then going up to him, he said: —
"What kind of an animal are you?"
"Why, you ignorant Tiger," said the Wood-
cutter, "can't you see that I am a Man?"
"Oh, are you?" replied the Tiger. "What a
piece of good luck for me! I am just looking for
Man to kill and eat him. You will do nicely."
THE TIGER FOLLOWED THE MAN TO HIS HOUSE
THE TIGER AND THE MAN 187
On hearing this the Woodcutter began to
laugh.
"Kill and eat me" he cried. "Why, don't
you know that Man is much too clever to be
killed and eaten by a Tiger? Come a little way
with me, and I will show you some of the things
Man knows. It will be very useful for you to
learn."
The Tiger thought this a good idea, so he
followed the Man to his house, which was built
of strong timbers and heavy logs.
"WThat is this place?" asked the Tiger, when
he saw it.
"This is called a house," said the Man. "I
will show you how we use it," and he went inside
and shut the door.
"Now," said he, speaking from inside, "you
see what a foolish creature a Tiger is compared
with Man. You poor animals live in holes in the
forest, exposed to rain, and cold, and heat; yet
with all your strength you cannot make a house
like this.
" Whereas I, although I am so much weaker
than you, can build myself a fine house, in which
I live comfortably in all weathers."
On hearing this, the Tiger flew into a rage.
"What right," he roared, "have you — an
ugly, defenceless creature — to possess such a
lovely house? Look at me with my beautiful
stripes, and my great teeth and claws, and my
188 THE WONDER GARDEN
long lashing tail. I am far more worthy than
you to have your house. Come out at once and
give it to me."
"Oh, very well," said the Man, and out he
came, leaving the door open.
The Tiger stalked in.
"Now look at me!" he called from inside.
"Am I not nice in my fine house?"
"Very nice indeed," answered the Man —
and he bolted the door on the outside, and
walking off, left the young Tiger to starve to
death.
WHY RABBITS HAVE YELLOW
HAIRS
Sioux Myth
ONCE upon a time, Master Rabbit lived with
his grandmother in a little lodge. Every morn-
ing he got up early to set his traps to snare game.
But no matter how early he got up, he found
that some one with a very long foot had been be-
fore him, and had frightened away all the wild
creatures.
One morning he rose earlier than ever to see
who the mysterious stranger was, but all that he
saw was the trail of the very long foot. The
stranger had been there, and the wild creatures
were gone.
Well, Master Rabbit was mad! He jumped
RABBITS WITH YELLOW HAIRS 189
all the way home, stopping now and then to
thump the ground with rage.
"Grandmother," he shouted, "give me my
strongest snare. I will set it and catch the
stranger."
"What has he done to you, my Grandson?"
asked she.
"He has made me mad," grumbled Master
Rabbit, "and I intend to punish him."
Well, Master Rabbit took his strongest bow-
string, and set it for a snare. Then he hid in the
bushes and waited. It grew dark and no one
came, so at last he had to go home.
The next morning he got up very early, and
went to look at his snare. And what should he
see but Master Shining Sun himself caught in the
snare and struggling to escape.
Master Shining Sun was in a violent passion.
"What! Ho!" cried he. "You miserable little
creature, how dare you hold me this way? Come
and untie me at once."
Well, Master Rabbit trembled with fear, you
may be sure, and he ducked his head and crept
near. He whipped out his knife, and cut the
bowstring. And up sprang Master Shining Sun,
soared into the sky, and was gone.
As for Master Rabbit, all his children since
that day have had yellow hairs between their
shoulders, because Master Rabbit's hairs were
scorched by the great heat of Master Shining Sun.
190 THE WONDER GARDEN
WHY THE DEER HAVE ANTLERS
Hopi Tale
ONCE the Deer had n't any antlers and his head
was smooth like the Rabbit's. He was a fast
runner, while his friend the Rabbit was a great
jumper.
All the animals were curious to know who
could go the faster, the Deer or the Rabbit, so
they decided to hold a race. They made a beau-
tiful pair of antlers for a prize.
Well, the day for the race came, and all the
animals got together in front of a thicket, and
laid the antlers on the ground to mark the start-
ing point. They told the Deer and the Rabbit
to run through the thicket to the other side, and
back again; and they said that the first to re-
turn and pick up the antlers, might keep them.
While every one was admiring the prize, the
Rabbit said: —
"I do not know this part of the country. I
wish to take a look through the bushes where I
am to run."
The animals thought this fair, so the Rabbit
jumped into the thicket. But he was gone so
long the others began to suspect that he was up
to one of his tricks. So a messenger went to
look for him.
He crept softly along, and there was the Rabbit
WHY NO SNAKES IN IRELAND 191
gnawing down the bushes and throwing them
aside, so as to clear a path. Then the messenger
returned to the others, and told what he had
seen.
The Rabbit came back at last, and the angry
animals held a council, and agreed that such a
trickster had no right to enter the race.
So they gave the antlers to the Deer because
he was an honest runner. As for the Rabbit,
they told him that since he was so fond of cutting
down bushes, he might do so for a living — and
so he gets his living to-day.
WHY THERE ARE NO SNAKES IN
IRELAND
Irish Folktale
IN ancient days, when Saint Patrick came to
Ireland, the land was filled with Snakes, and
Serpents, and Toads. Some flew in the air, and
others crawled and hopped on the ground. They
were in very bad company, indeed, these crea-
tures, for with them were many Demons who
darkened the air with their sooty wings.
Well, Saint Patrick determined to rid Ireland
of them all. So he gathered the Snakes, Ser-
pents, Toads, and Demons together in one place,
and bade them go to the top of Crochan Acla.
Now the creatures did not wish to go there at
all, at all, for they knew that the other side of the
192 THE WONDER GARDEN
mountain hung over the sea. So some of them
went up very slowly, and others twisted and
turned and wriggled about, hoping to escape.
But Saint Patrick had a watchful eye, and
'what is more, he had something much better —
a sweet tinkling magic bell. Of all the sounds
in the world the creatures dreaded the most, it
was the sound of this bell. So when Saint Pat-
rick saw that they would not obey him he un-
covered the bell and rang it gently.
At the first tinkle, Snakes, Serpents, Toads,
and Demons rushed forward in a body up the
side of the mountain, and hurried to the top.
The good Saint clambered after. He pointed
to the sea, and in a minute Snakes, Serpents,
Toads, and Demons rushed helter-skelter over
the edge of the mountain, and, before the bell
could be uncovered again they were half way
down to the water. There they stopped, and
hid themselves in a deep hollow, feeling quite
safe under the shadow of the cliff.
But Saint Patrick leaned over the edge, and
rang his bell again, so gently that the roaring of
the surf beneath drowned the tinkling, and the
creatures refused to stir. Rising to his feet, the
Saint swung the bell around and around his
head, and flung it with all his force over the
cliff.
Down it went, booming and ringing, on to the
shivering creatures' backs. And in the twinkling
THE LAST OF THE SERPENTS 193
of an eye, Snakes, Serpents, Toads, and Demons
rushed downward and plunged into the sea, and
disappeared under the foaming waves.
And never since that day have Snakes been
seen in the land; and some folk say that the
good Saint's bell lies hidden under the earth in
the hollow on Crochan Acla.
THE LAST OF THE SERPENTS
Irish Folktale
AFTER Saint Patrick had driven the Snakes and
Serpents out of Ireland, there was just one cun-
ning old Serpent left, who had hidden away in a
hole by a lake.
Well, the good Saint did not know what to do
about it at all, at all, for the old one was making
a lot of mischief. The Saint thought about it
for a long time, then he got a strong iron chest
with nine bolts on it. And one fine morning
he took a walk to the hole where the Serpent
was.
The old one did not like Saint Patrick, small
blame to him, and began to hiss and show his
teeth.
"Oh!" says Saint Patrick, " where 's the use
of making such a noise when a nice gentleman
like myself is coming to see you? It is a fine
house I have got for you against the Winter,"
194 THE WONDER GARDEN
says he, "and you can come and look at your
house whenever you please."
The Serpent, hearing such smooth words, stuck
his head out of the hole, and came wriggling up
fair and easy to see the house Saint Patrick had
brought. But when he saw the nine bolts he
was terribly frightened, and began to wriggle
away.
"Stop! stop!" says Saint Patrick. "Tis a
nice warm house as ever you saw," says he.
"Thank you kindly, Saint Patrick," says the
Serpent, "but it's entirely too small for me,"
says he, wriggling away still farther.
"Too small is it?" says Saint Patrick. "I
am sure it will fit you completely. If you'll
only try, there's plenty of room," says he.
"I don't like to contradict you, Saint Pat-
rick," says the Serpent, "but it's altogether
too small, it is," says he.
And with that the Serpent swelled himself out
as big as he could, and crept into the chest all
except a bit of his tail.
"There now, see," says he, "the house is
much too small for me. I can't get my tail in,"
says he.
And what did Saint Patrick do but quick as a
wink slap down the heavy lid of the chest with a
bang like thunder?
When the rogue of a Serpent saw the lid com-
ing down, in went his tail like a shot, for fear of
THE LAST OF THE SERPENTS 195
its being whipped off him. And Saint Patrick
began to bolt the nine bolts.
"Oh! murder! won't you let me out, Saint
Patrick?" cries the Serpent.
"Let you out, my darling!" says Saint Pat-
rick. "To be sure! to be sure! But you must
wait until to-morrow," says he.
And with that the Saint heaved up the chest,
and pitched it right into the lake, where to this
hour it certain is. And 't is the Serpent strug-
gling down at the bottom that makes the waves
boil so.
And many a living man has heard the Serpent
crying out, within the chest under the water:
"Is it to-morrow yet? Is it to-morrow yet?"
Which it sure never can be, for it is always
to-day.
And that's the way Saint Patrick settled the
last of the Serpents.
GATHERING FRUITS STRANGE, RICH,
AND RIPE
SONG OF THE HESPERIDES
The Golden Apple, the Golden Apple, the
hallowed fruit,
Guard it well, guard it warily,
Singing airily,
Standing about the charmed root!
Keen-eyed Sisters, singing airily,
Looking warily
Every way,
Guard the Apple night and day,
Lest one from the East come and take it away I
Golden-kernelled, golden cored,
Sunset-ripened above on the tree.
The World is wasted with fire and sword,
But the Apple of Gold hangs over the sea.
Five links, a golden chain are we,
Hesper, the Dragon, and Sisters three,
Daughters three,
Bound about
The gnarled bole of the charmed tree.
The Golden Apple, the Golden Apple, the
hallowed fruit,
Guard it well, guard it warily,
Watch it warily,
Singing airily,
Standing about the charmed root!
From LORD TENNYSON'S The Hesperides
THE MAGIC STRAWBERRIES
Folktale
ONCE upon a time, a poor woman lived in a little
hut near a mountain on which was a wide forest.
She had one little child whom she loved dearly.
Now, in that forest grew many Strawberries
very large and juicy, and one Midsummer Day
the woman took the child to pick some. They
climbed the mountain-side, and presently lighted
upon vines that were covered with berries larger,
redder, and more luscious than any they had
ever seen before.
These they picked. But no sooner had the
woman put them in her basket than she saw
the door of a large cavern open before her.
Great heaps of gold lay glittering on the floor,
wliile three White Maidens sat there guarding
the treasure.
"Come in, good Woman," called the White
Maidens. "Take as much gold as you can
grasp at once."
The woman, holding her child by the hand,
entered eagerly. She stooped and grasped a
handful of gold and put it in her apron. But the
touch of it filled her with greed, and, forgetting
her child, she gathered up two more handfuls.
Then she turned and ran out of the cave.
200 THE WONDER GARDEN
Instantly a loud rumbling sounded behind
her, and a voice cried out: —
"Unhappy Woman! You have lost your little
one until next Midsummer Day."
The door of the cavern closed, and the child
was shut inside.
Well, the poor woman wrung her hands and
wept, but it was of no use, and she had to go
home without her child. And though after that
she often visited the place where the cavern
had opened, she never could find the door.
Early on the next Midsummer Day she hur-
ried to the spot; and what should she see but
the door wide open! The great heaps of gold
lay glittering on the floor, while the three White
Maidens sat there guarding the treasure. And
near them stood her little child holding a big
red Apple.
"Come in, good Woman," called the White
Maidens. "Take as much gold as you can grasp
at once. "
At that the woman ran eagerly in. She forgot
all about the gold, and clasped her dear child in
her arms.
"Good Woman," said the White Maidens,
"take the little one home. We give it back to
you, for now your love is greater than your
greed."
So the woman took her child home with her, and
loved it better than gold all the days of her life.
THE GOLDEN STRAWBERRIES 201
THE GOLDEN STRAWBERRIES
Folktale
Now, near that same mountain lived another
poor woman who had a little daughter.
One day the woman fell ill of a fever, and
longed for Strawberries. So the little girl took a
jug and went to gather some. She climbed the
mountain-side, and entered the forest, where she
found vines covered with big, red, luscious berries.
She had gathered her jug nearly full, when
she saw a tiny woman come tripping toward
her. A very strange tiny woman she was, all
gold-coloured and dressed entirely in golden
moss.
The little girl remembered how her mother
had told her about the Fairies, called Moss-
Women, who inhabited the forest, so she knew
this must be one of them.
The Moss-Woman drew near.
"My dear child," said she, "I see that your
jug is full of delicious berries. Will you not give
me some to quench my thirst?"
"Take all you want," said the little girl
gladly, "and I'll pick more for my mother."
So the Moss- Woman ate, and ate until the
jug was nearly empty; then away she tripped,
and vanished among the trees.
The little girl quickly filled her jug again,
202 THE WONDER GARDEN
and went home. And, lo, when she took it to
her mother's bedside, every Strawberry in it
was turned to pure gold!
From that day she and her mother were very
rich.
WHY THE POMEGRANATE WEARS
A CROWN AND ROYAL ROBES
Old Legend
ONCE upon a time, in Tyre the City-that-
Crowns-a-Rock, there lived a proud young
girl.
Now the King and Queen of Tyre, and all the
Princes and Princesses, wore robes of Tyrian
purple; not the dark colour we call purple to-day,
but a deep rich crimson, glowing ruby-like in
the sunshine, and, in the shadows, gleaming
like ripening Grapes.
More beautiful was Tyrian purple than any
other colour in the world. So this young girl
gazed and gazed with rapture and longing,
every time one of the royal family went by.
Indeed, she could think of nothing else, but of
this wonderful colour.
At last she could neither eat nor drink; and
since she could endure this condition no longer,
she consulted a Wiseman. He told her that she
was destined to wear a crown and royal robes. So
of course she thought he meant that she was to
THE POMEGRANATE 203
wed a King. After this she refused all humble
suitors who asked for her hand, and waited for
her King to come and woo her.
One day she heard a great noise in the street,
and rushed from her house. A procession was
passing by. First came goat-legged Pan pip-
ing on his Syrinx. After him pressed a great
crowd of Satyrs and Fauns prancing around on
their shaggy legs, and shouting wildly.
Behind them, seated in a huge car drawn by
Leopards, came Bacchus, Keeper-of-All-the-Vine-
yards-in-the- World. He was dressed in purple
garments, and wore a crown of Grapes and leaves.
Behind him followed captives chained together,
and many Elephants laden with rich stuffs, spices,
gold, and silver. For Bacchus was returning from
India, which country he had conquered.
Well, as soon as the young girl saw his purple
garments and crown, she thought: "There is
my King!" and, rushing forward, threw her-
self in his way.
Bacchus, who was good-natured and merry,
lifted her into the car, and took her along; for
he was pleased to have such a pretty girl sitting
beside him.
But, when she began to insist that he should
make her his Queen, he was so annoyed that he
changed her into a big ripe Pomegranate hang-
ing on a low tree. And her rind glowed ruby-
like in the sunshine, and in the shadows gleamed
204 THE WONDER GARDEN
like ripening Grapes, while she wore a tiny
yellow crown.
So there she hung, peeping out of her glossy
leaves in order that all the world might see her
crown and royal robes.
THE TANTALIZING FRUITS
Retold from Homer and Pindar
OH, a very wretched man was King Tantalus
the father of Niobe the Proud. He lived in the
golden wonder days when maidens were trans-
formed into trees, and youths were changed
into flowers. Though he was the son of aegis-
bearing Jupiter, he did not dwell in the Shining
Palace on Mount Olympus, but reigned over the
rich and powerful kingdom of Lydia.
Now King Tantalus was a favourite of the
Dwellers-on-Mount-Olympus, and they often
invited him to their banquets, and even visited
him in his palace. But he was so vain and
puffed up by these favours that he became very
presumptuous.
Some people say that he told the secret things
he heard at the banquets, and others relate that
he stole some of Jupiter's Nectar and Ambrosia,
and fed his friends; and still others accuse him
of having killed his son Pelops, cooking and
serving him up at a feast to the Dwellers-on-
Mount-Olympus. But whatever his wickedness
APPLES OF THE HESPERIDES 205
was, he was well punished; for Jupiter cast him
into Tartarus, that dreadful place of punishment
in grim King Pluto's underground kingdom.
Over King Tantalus' head was suspended a
huge rock that was always threatening to fall
and crush him. He stood in a lake up to his
chin, while above him drooped branches of
trees laden with the most delicious fruits —
crimson Pomegranates, luscious Figs, yellow
Pears, and crisp Olives.
But though all this food and drink was close
at hand, King Tantalus was always hungry and
thirsty. Whenever he bent his head to drink,
the water fled from him. Whenever he lifted
his arm to pluck a fruit, a great Wind arose that
whirled the branches, fruit and all, high up into
the shadowy clouds.
So the wretched King stood there night and
day, stretching out his arms toward the food
and drink, and suffering the most terrible
hunger and thirst, in punishment for his pride
and presumption.
THE GOLDEN APPLES OF THE
HESPERIDES
Retold from Apollodorus and Other Sources
THE LABOURS OF HERCULES
IN those ancient golden wonder days, the most
unfortunate of men was the mighty hero Her-
206 THE WONDER GARDEN
cules; for by evil Destiny he was forced to serve
and obey King Eurystheus of Mycenae.
A cruel man was King Eurystheus, and
twelve labours — or tasks — he set for Hercules
to perform. Fearful adventures they were.
And in order that Hercules might win over all
dangers, the Dwellers-on-Mount-Olympus armed
him with Olympian armour.
Mercury gave him a bright sword; golden-
beamed Apollo bestowed a bow upon him, Vul-
can the Smith made him a golden breast-plate;
and Minerva, with her own hands, wove him a
robe of the finest web.
Then Hercules cut for himself a huge club,
and started on his adventures. The fierce
Nemean Lion he choked to death, and made a
cloak of his skin. With fiery darts he slew the
hundred-headed Hydra-monster. He tamed the
Stag-of-the-Golden-Horns, and the Wild Boar of
Erymanthus. He cleansed the great Augean
stables, and even stole grim King Pluto's three-
headed monster Dog, Cerberus.
All these labours did Hercules accomplish,
and others as fearful. But the most wonderful
of his tasks • was his search for the Golden
Apples that grew in the Garden of the Hes-
perides.
APPLES OF THE HESPERIDES 207
THE SEARCH FOR THE GOLDEN FRUIT
FAR, far away, beyond the bright ocean, at the
very edge of the world, lay the Garden of the
Hesperides. There the most beautiful flowers
bloomed, and the sweetest birds sang. Every
kind of tree grew there, and streams of crystal-
clear water moistened their roots.
In the centre of the garden stood a magic
tree on whose boughs hung the glittering Golden
Apples. Very marvellous they were, for they
belonged to Juno, Queen of all the Dwellers-on-
Mount-Olympus. Fair Earth had given them
to her for a wedding gift. And to keep them
safe, Juno had planted them in the garden
and had set the three sister-maidens, the Hes-
perides, to watch over the tree on which they
grew, and had placed a fierce hundred-headed
Dragon around its roots to guard it from the
sisters lest they should pluck one of the magic
fruit.
And it was to fetch back some of these won-
derful Golden Apples that King Eurystheus
sent Hercules. Many and dangerous were the
hero's adventures. Some men say that he went
to the Land of the Hyperboreans, those strange
folk who dwelt beyond the glittering ice palace
of the North Wind Boreas. They lived for a
thousand years. On sweet grassy herbs they
fed, and drank ambrosial dew. No shadow of
208 THE WONDER GARDEN
care ever touched their radiant brows, nor were
they ever sick.
Thither some men say Hercules went, sailing
beyond the bright sea in the Golden Bowl of the
Sun. And as he drew near to the Garden of the
Hesperides, he shot and killed with his sharp
arrows the mighty Eagle that was hovering on
outstretched wings and devouring the liver of
Prometheus. For that wretched one was still
bound to the pillar where Jupiter had placed
him because he had given the untiring Fire to
men.
So Hercules set Prometheus free, who in
gratitude bade him seek out his brother, old
Giant Atlas, who was holding up the sky, and
send him for the Golden Apples.
Then Hercules sought out old Giant Atlas,
and found him groaning under his burden. And
very glad the old Giant was to be rid of the
weight of the sky for a while, while Hercules
took it on his own shoulders. He hastened to
the garden where his daughters, the Hesperides,
were dancing hand in hand, and singing their
clear-voiced songs while they circled about the
magic tree. From them he received some of the
glittering fruit, and carried it back to Hercules.
So was Hercules able to fetch home, at last,
the Golden Apples to King Eurystheus of
Mycenae, who returned them to him as a gift,
in honour of his bravery.
THE APPLE OF DISCORD 209
But the hero did not wish to keep them, so
Minerva-the- Wise-One carried them back to the
Garden of the Hesperides.
And there they are to-day, glittering on the
magic tree around which the three sister Hes-
perides are still circling hand in hand, singing
their clear-voiced songs, while the hundred-
headed Dragon is keeping watch and ward over
the Golden Apples.
THE APPLE OF DISCORD
Retold from Euripides, Ovid, and Other Sources
THE WOOING OF THETIS
IN those ancient golden days, came handsome
King Peleus of Thessaly a-wooing of the silver-
footed Thetis, loveliest of the Nereids. She
dwelt beneath the ocean-waves, in clear green
depths where the silvery sand was strewn with
Pearls and Coral.
Often she was wont to rush through the deep
water, seated on the back of a swift, well-har-
nessed Dolphin. Sometimes she rose to the
surface of the sea, and, rocking on a billow,
combed her long hair while she sang softly to
the fishes.
But more often she slept in a little cave on
the shore. Around it was a grove of Myrtle.
Inside it, the sand was whiter than camphor,
210 THE WONDER GARDEN
while the cool green light from the sea played
on its lichen-covered walls.
One day, King Peleus found Thetis, in her fa-
vourite retreat, sleeping with her head pillowed
on the Dolphin. He gathered her up in his
arms, and, lo! she changed herself into a bird
with sharp claws and beak. He held her fast,
and she became a thorny tree. He clasped her
still closer, and, behold! she was a spotted
Tiger tearing at his bosom. In terror he opened
his arms, and she slipped from them into the
water.
"Alas!" he cried, "how have I lost her!"
"Listen, Peleus," said a voice from the waves;
and Proteus, the Old-Man-of-the-Deep, raising
his head from the brine, shook the foam from
his long hair and beard. "Listen, Peleus, and
I will tell you how to win yon ocean-maid.
"When again she sweetly sleeps in her cave, bind
her with cords, Then hold her fast. Let her not
deceive you, no matter how many terrible
shapes she takes. So will you win, if you are
bold to the end."
Thus saying, old Proteus hid his face in the
sea, and sank beneath the waves.
Now when the Sun was setting, the silver-
footed Thetis, gayly shaking the reins of her
Dolphin, came riding into the cave, and laid
herself down to sleep in that cool place.
Then King Peleus saw her, and, creeping close,
THE APPLE OF DISCORD 211
bound her with strong cords, and grasped her
tightly in his arms.
Many and fearful were the forms she took, —
shapes of wild birds, savage beasts, and horrible
creatures, — but King Peleus held her in a vice
like iron and would not let her go. At last, with
a sigh, she returned to her own form, and said: —
"King Peleus, daring man, you have con-
quered. But not without the aid of old Proteus
of the sea!"
And that is how the handsome King Peleus
of Thessaly won his bride.
THE MARRIAGE OF PELEUS AND THETIS
JOYOUSLY through the groves and caves of
Mount Pelion sounded Apollo's lyre, and Pan's
reedy Syrinx, while the fair-haired Muses,
striking their golden sandals on the ground
with musical ringing, came dancing from among
the trees to attend the marriage of King Peleus
and the silver-footed Thetis.
Richly was set the banquet table, around
which were seated the Dwellers-on-Mount-Olym-
pus. With rosy finger-tips, Ganymede the Cup-
bearer poured out the Nectar into the golden
depths of the goblets. Along the white sand the
Nereids, the fifty daughters of Old Ocean,
twined their arms hi a circling dance. Then
with arrows of fir and crowns of pine, the horse-
212 THE WONDER GARDEN
mounted troop of the Centaurs came galloping
from their dark cave to the feast.
Now all the Dwellers-on-Mount-Olympus were
there except one. Discord alone had not been
invited. A malevolent creature she was, sowing
anger and strife wherever she went. So Jupiter
had banished her from the Shining Palace on
Mount Olympus.
When the marriage feast was nearly over,
Discord herself suddenly appeared among the
guests, her face ghastly pale, and her garment
rent, while the handle of a naked dagger pro-
truded from her bosom.
She cast upon the banquet-board a beautiful
Golden Apple; then, her eyes sparkling with
malicious fire, she vanished.
The Apple went rolling along the board until
it stopped at the place where Juno, Venus, and
Minerva were reclining. Mercury, the wily
one, picked it up, and read aloud the inscription
written on its side: —
"Let the most beautiful take me."
Then arose a violent quarrel, for Juno, Venus,
and Minerva each claimed the Apple for her
own. And had not Jupiter separated them, they
would have come to blows.
"Make haste, take this golden fruit of Dis-
cord," said Jupiter to Mercury. "Hie to leafy
Mount Ida, to the place where Paris, the son of
King Priam of Troy, is watching his flock. Say
THE APPLE OF DISCORD 213
to the youth that Jupiter bids him decide which
is the most beautiful, Juno, Venus, or Minerva."
So to leafy Mount Ida Mercury, with the
Golden Apple of Discord in his hand, flew
quickly, and descended to the spot where Paris
was sitting.
THE JUDGMENT OF PARIS
THE handsomest of all Shepherd-lads on Mount
Ida was Paris. He knew not that he was the
son of King Priam; for when he was born an
Oracle had declared he should be the destruction
of his country. So King Priam had exposed the
babe on Mount Ida to die. But a Bear had
suckled the little one, and a Shepherd had found
him, and, adopting him, had named him Paris.
So now to where Paris sat, playing on his
flute of reed while watching his sheep, came
Mercury; while behind him, still loudly quarrel-
ling, hastened Juno, Venus, and Minerva.
Mercury delivered his message, and the be-
wildered youth rose to his feet and gazed in
wonder. So magnificent and noble was Juno
in her royal raiment and crown, so stately and
tall was Minerva in her rich armour, so rosy
and dimpled was Venus in her shining robes,
that he could not decide on whom to bestow
the Golden Apple.
Then Juno stepped forward, and said: "O
214 THE WONDER GARDEN
royal Youth, if you will award the Apple to
me, you shall be Lord of all Asia."
"Good Youth," said Minerva, "give me but
yon Apple, and I will make you a great warrior.
You shall always win in battle."
"Dear, fair Youth," said Venus, smiling, "be-
stow on me yon prize of Beauty; and I will give
you the most beautiful wife in the world, even
Greek Helen herself. Pale and fair she is like a
Swan, and of rare and delicate beauty. There is
none in the whole world to compare with her.
Give me the prize, and I will send my little son,
Cupid, to guide you to Sparta and to Helen."
So Paris bestowed the Golden Apple upon
Venus.
Alas! time is too short in which to relate all
the woes and sorrows that Paris brought upon
his native land; how his father King Priam
found him; how Paris himself stole Greek Helen
away from Sparta; how the army of the angry
Greeks assembled, in many swift ships, and
sailed to Troy; how they, with the help of Juno
and Minerva, besieged and destroyed the city,
and carried Helen home.
These were some of the baleful miseries and
strifes brought about by ghastly Discord and
her Golden Apple,
IDUN AND THE MAGIC APPLES 215
IDUN AND THE MAGIC APPLES
Norse Myth
Retold from the Younger Edda
THIS is a wonder tale of the Northland, the land
of the Midnight Sun, where the cold grey sea
beats and foams against dark crags, and where,
by night and day, are heard the thunder of
snowslides and the crash of rending ice in the
mountains.
High above this land, among the clouds, once
dwelt the mighty Asa Folk. Asgard, their abode
was called. In Asgard were many lofty halls
and palaces, whose gold and silver roofs, seen
through the pale mists, burned like sheets of
white and red flame.
In Valhalla, the loftiest palace of them all,
that had five hundred and forty windows and a
roof shingled with heroes' golden shields, sat
Odin-the-One-Eyed, the father of all the Asas.
On a high seat he sat, with his wife Frigg by his
side, and his two Ravens, Hugin and Munin,
croaking loudly on his shoulder.
Often he called all the Asas to a banquet. At
his summons came Thor-the-Strong, standing
up in his chariot, and furiously urging on Goats
instead of Horses. Around his waist was girded
the Belt of Strength, into which was thrust
Mjolner the Thunder-Hammer.
216 THE WONDER GARDEN
Near Thor's chariot rode Freyja the Fair in
her car drawn by Cats. She was singing sweetly
to her brother Frey, as he galloped along at her
side on his golden Boar Gullinburste.
So all the Asas but one came to the banquet —
Brage the Poet-Singer, Balder-the-Beautiful, the
gentle Nanna, Hoder-the-Blind, Loki-the-Evil-
One. But the happiest of all, rosy, young, and
beautiful, was Idun, bearing her locked casket.
These came to the banquet, and one only did
not come, for Heimdal-the- White- Asa remained
behind to guard Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge,
that stretched its bright arch from Asgard to
earth. There he stood watching night and day,
and guarding the Asas from the attacks of the
terrible Mountain-Giants who lived on earth.
But the other Asa Folk sat with Odin and his
heroes in Valhalla, drinking from the flowing
mead-horn, and eating the flesh of a Magic Boar
that was cooked every day, and every night be-
came alive again.
Of all the good things at the feast, the best
and most desired were the Magic Apples of
Youth — kept by Idun locked safely away in
her casket. Just a taste of one of these was
enough to make an Asa grow young and hand-
some again, no matter how old, weary, and
wrinkled he was. So this wonderful fruit was
very precious, and Idun hid it away under lock
and key, and always carried the casket with her.
IDTJN AND THE MAGIC APPLES 217
And this is what happened at last to those
Magic Apples : —
One day Odin wrapped his blue cloak around
him, pulled down the rim of his broad-brimmed
hat well over his one eye, and journeyed across
the Rainbow Bridge to earth. With him went
Loki-the-Evil-One, and together they wandered
over mountains and meadows.
At length they saw a herd of cattle grazing in
a valley. These belonged to Thjasse a Moun-
tain-Giant, but they did not know it. So they
killed an Ox, and began to make broth of its
flesh. They boiled it, and kept boiling it from
early morn to noon, but still it was red and
raw.
And while the two were talking about this
wonder, a voice above them cried out: —
"O foolish ones! That meat shall never be
cooked, until you give me all that I can eat at
one meal."
Odin and Thor looked up, and saw an Eagle
perched on a bough.
"A bird cannot eat much," they said, so they
consented.
Now the Eagle was really Thjasse the Moun-
tain-Giant, but they did not know it. Down he
dropped, and snatched the two thighs of the
Ox, then both of its shoulders. But before he
could fly away, Loki picked up a pole, and began
to beat him. Immediately one end of the pole
218 THE WONDER GARDEN
fastened itself to the bird's body, and the other
end to Loki's hands.
Up the Eagle flew, but only high enough to
drag Loki's feet over sharp stones, and almost to
pull his arms from his shoulders. Loki pleaded
and cried, and at last the Eagle said : —
"If you will promise to bring me Idun and
her Apples, I will release you."
Loki promised gladly, and the Eagle -set him
free and flew off.
Now of course Loki did not tell Odin what he
had pledged himself to do. And as soon as he
reached Asgard, he tried to coax Idun away.
"In a forest on earth," he said, "I have found
some Apples much more wonderful and fragrant
than your Apples of Youth. Let us go and
gather them."
So he coaxed her across the Rainbow Bridge
into a forest. Then came Thjasse, in his dress
of eagle-feathers, and, swooping down, bore
her off, casket and all, to Giantland.
Ah, then there was sorrow and lamentation in
Asgard! Idun was gone and so were her Magic
Apples. The Asas grew grey, wrinkled, and old.
They no longer feasted, but mourned.
But when they learned that Loki had been
last seen with Idun, they threatened him with
death. So he confessed what he had done, and
offered to fetch Idun back, if Freyja would lend
him her dress of falcon-feathers.
IDUN AND THE MAGIC APPLES 219
He put on the falcon-guise, and away he flew
northward over raging torrents, icy mountain
peaks, and cold glaciers, to Giantland. There
he found Idun sitting alone in her hall, for the
Giant Thjasse was gone fishing.
Quickly Loki changed her into a Nut, and
holding it firmly in his claws, flew off toward
Asgard. But the Giant Thjasse saw him wing-
ing his way along, and, putting on his eagle-
feathers, pursued him.
Now Heimdal-the- White-Asa, standing guard
at the Rainbow Bridge, saw them coming, — first
the Falcon flying slowly and feebly, for it was very
tired, then the fierce Eagle rapidly pursuing. He
called all the other Asas, and they came running.
Then the Asas saw that the two were flying
nearer and nearer. And just as the Eagle was
about to pounce upon the Falcon, the exhausted
bird flew over the walls into Asgard and dropped
panting on the ground.
But Thjasse, unable to stop in his mad flight,
passed through a great fire the Asa Folk had
kindled, and fell burning to the earth. So they
slew him there, where he fell.
That is how Idun and her locked casket came
back to Asgard. and why the Asa Folk grew
young and handsome again after once more
tasting the Magic Apples of Youth.
DIVING THROUGH THE GREEN SEA
WAVES
THE PEARL
A Drop of Rain was falling
From forth a summer cloud,
It saw the Ocean under it
Roll billows large and loud;
And, all-ashamed and sore-dismayed,
It whispered, " Woe is me !
0 Allah, I am naught! What counts
One Rain Drop to the Sea?"
But while it mocked and mourned itself —
For littleness forlorn —
Into a Sea-shell's opened lips
The Drop of Rain was borne,
Where many a day and night it lay,
Until at last it grew
A lovely Pearl of lucent ray,
Faultless in form and hue.
From SA'DI ; trans, by SIR EDWIN ARNOLD
FAIRY SONG
Full fathom five thy father lies;
Of his bones are Coral made;
Those are Pearls that were his eyes:
Nothing of him that doth fade,
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange,
Sea-Nymphs hourly ring his knell:
Ding-dong,
Hark I now I hear them, — Ding-dong, bell f
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
THE FISHERBOY URASHIMA
Japanese Folktale
ONE day a fisherboy, named Urashima, left his
little village and went out to fish. He caught a
Tortoise. Now Tortoises are said to live a
thousand years, so the kind-hearted boy dropped
it back into the sea. Then, rebaiting his hook,
he sat patiently waiting for a fish to bite.
The sea gently waved his line to and fro. The
Sun beat down upon his head. He fell asleep.
He had not slept long, when he heard a voice
call:-
" Urashima! Urashima!"
It was such a sweet, haunting voice that he
stood up in his boat, and looked about. Swim-
ming near him was the very Tortoise he had
restored to its watery home.
"Urashima," said the Tortoise, "get upon my
back. You have been kind to me, so I will take
you to the Dragon-King's palace."
Urashima eagerly stepped on to its back, and
away the Tortoise glided with tremendous speed
through the water. He was amazed to see that
his clothes were dry, for not a single drop touched
him.
As they drew near a Magic Island, out of the
palace of the Dragon-King came Red Bream,
224 THE WONDER GARDEN
Flounders, Soles, and Cuttle-fish. After wel-
coming Urashima, they escorted him to an inner
apartment in which sat the beautiful Princess
Otohime. She was arrayed in robes of red and
gold, which looked like waves with the sunlight
on them.
"Urashima," said she in the same sweet
haunting voice that he had heard before, "I was
the Tortoise who brought you hither. I took that
form in order to test your kindness of heart.
Because you restored me to the sea, instead of
selling me for food, I will reward you. If you
wish it, I will become your bride, and you may
dwell with me for ever in this Land of Eternal
Youth and Everlasting Summer."
Urashima joyfully consented, and immediately
a great troop of fishes appeared, robed in long
garments, and bearing in their fins coral trays
laden with plates of delicious food.
The happy pair together took the wedding
cup of Saki, and, while they drank, some of the
fishes played softly, others sang, and still others,
standing on the tips of their gold and silver tails,
danced upon the white sand.
After the wedding festivities were over, the
Princess led Urashima out of the palace to show
him the marvels of the Dragon-King's land.
Everywhere around him were trees with emerald
leaves and ruby fruits, while on all sides of the
palace the four Seasons — Spring, Summer,
THE FISHERBOY URASHIMA 225
Autumn, and Winter — stretched out their
wide domains.
Looking toward the East, Urashima saw Plum
and Cherry trees in full bloom, with bright-
winged Butterflies skimming over the blossoms.
To the South, all trees were in their Summer
glory, Bees humming and Crickets chirping.
To the West, the Autumn Maples were flam-
ing in gold and scarlet, while Autumn flowers
painted the meadows yellow and purple.
But when Urashima looked toward the North,
he saw only broad stretches of cold white Snow,
and a mighty lake covered with glistening Ice.
Now after Urashima had been in the Dragon-
King's palace for three days, he remembered his
poor old father and mother, and longed to see
them. But when he told this to the Princess she
wept.
"Indeed, I must see my old parents," said he.
"It will be only for a day, after which I will
return to you, dear wife of mine."
So he pleaded; and when she saw that he was
determined to go, she placed in his hand a jewel-
set box, saying: —
"Promise me that you will not open this, no
matter what happens."
So he promised.
Then getting on the back of a large Tortoise,
he soon found himself in his own village.
But everything was changed. His father's
226 THE WONDER GARDEN
cottage was gone; only the little stream re-
mained. He questioned a strange fisherboy,
and found that he had been in the Dragon-King's
palace, not three days but three hundred years.
His parents were dead. His little house was
torn down. His heart was filled with grief and
despair. Then he heard the low murmuring of
the sea, and it seemed to be whispering of the land
where Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter
reigned eternally, the land where the trees had
emerald leaves and ruby fruits, and where the
fishes wore long robes, and danced, played, and
sang.
He wandered on the shore. He thought that
he heard his wife's sweet, haunting voice calling
to him from the waves, but no Tortoise appeared
to carry him to the Dragon-King's palace.
"The box! the box!" he cried. "Surely it will
help me!"
With eager fingers he untied the red silk
strings that bound the jewel-set box, and lifted
its cover. Out rushed a small white cloud, that
rolled away over the sea and was gone.
Alas! Urashima's sacred promise was broken!
His form was changed. He was no longer a hand-
some fisherboy, but a grey, wrinkled, old man.
He was three hundred years old.
He staggered forward, his white hair and beard
blowing in the wind. He looked out at the sea.
Then he fell down dead upon the shore.
PRINCE FIRESHINE 227
PRINCE FIRESHINE AND PRINCE
FIREFADE
Japanese Myth
IN Japan, in days long gone by, there once dwelt
two brothers. The elder was named Prince
Fireshine and the younger Prince Firefade.
Prince Fireshine liked the sea, and daily caught
fish of all kinds. Prince Firefade was a hunter,
and shot much game, big and little.
One day Prince Firefade said: —
"My brother, lend me your fish-hook, and
to-day I will go fishing. Do you take my bow
and arrows, and hunt in my stead. So shall we
find out who is the luckier."
At first Prince Fireshine refused, but when his
brother pressed him hard, he consented, and
lent him his fish-hook. Then taking the bow and
arrows, he went hunting.
At night, when they returned home, Prince
Fireshine, who had shot nothing all day, gave
up the bow and arrows sullenly, and demanded
back his fish-hook. Now poor Prince Firefade
had had no luck, and had lost the fish-hook into
the bargain.
"You promised to return my hook," said
Prince Fireshine in a rage, "and my hook I will
have."
So Prince Firefade, much grieved at his
228 THE WONDER GARDEN
brother's harshness, broke his sword into bits,
and made five hundred bright hooks, and offered
them to him. But he refused them all.
Then Prince Firefade made a thousand hooks,
and offered them to him, but he said angrily : —
"My own hook I will have, and no other."
Thereupon Prince Firefade, weeping bitterly,
went down to the shore. As he stood by the
sea, there arose from the water an old man
with a long white beard and flowing white hair.
"Prince Firefade," said he, "why do you
weep?"
"Because I borrowed my brother's fish-hook,"
he answered sadly, "and lost it. I have offered
him a thousand and five hundred bright ones
instead, but he has refused them all, saying, * Give
me back my own.' "
The old man then plaited a boat of sea-weed,
and setting it on the waves, said: —
"Get into this, Prince Firefade, and your
journey will be pleasant. Soon you will see a
palace built of silvery fish-scales. It is the abode
of the Sea-King. Near its gate is a well, over
which droops a Cassia Tree. Climb into the tree,
and wait until the Sea-King's daughter finds
you."
So Prince Firefade sprang into the boat. Im-
mediately it dived beneath the foam, and, de-
scending deeper and deeper, rested on the ocean-
floor. Then he got out of the boat, and walked
PRINCE FIRESHINE 229
until he beheld the Sea-King's palace glittering
like a thousand fishes. Over the well bent
the Cassia Tree, and into its branches he
climbed.
Soon the handmaidens of the Princess Rich-
Gem came bearing jewelled vases with which to
draw water. They saw the handsome youth in
the tree, and ran and told their mistress. She
hastened to the spot, and, after giving Prince
Firefade one look, exclaimed: —
''Why, he is handsomer than my father!"
So she hurried to her father, and said that a
beautiful young man was sitting in the Cassia
Tree. The Sea-King went to look for himself,
and liked Prince Firefade's face so well that
he invited him into the palace. There the
servants seated him on a pile of silken carpets,
and prepared a fine banquet for him.
After which the Sea-King gave him the Prin-
cess Rich-Gem in marriage. So he dwelt in the
Sea-King's palace for three years.
Now, at the end of that time, Prince Firefade
suddenly thought of his brother and the lost
fish-hook, and sighed deeply.
"Why do you sigh, my Son-in-law?" asked
the Sea-King. "Tell me, too, what brought you
hither to my Kingdom."
So Prince Firefade told him how his brother
had pressed him to return the hook as he had
promised.
230 THE WONDER GARDEN
Thereupon the Sea-King hastily summoned
all the fishes of the world to appear before him.
They came swimming up, thousand and thou-
sands of them, gold and silver fishes, red, green,
blue, and yellow ones, and assembled respect-
fully before his throne.
The Sea-King asked them if they had found
Prince Fireshine's hook.
All the fishes replied : —
"The Tai-Fish has complained lately of some-
thing sticking in her throat, so that she cannot
eat. Doubtless it is the hook."
Then the Sea-King commanded the Tai-Fish
to open her mouth. She did so, and there was
Prince Fireshine's hook all safe and sound.
So they took it out, and gave it to Prince
Firef ade, who immediately made preparations to
depart.
As he was leaving, the Sea-King pressed a
flashing jewel into his hand, saying: —
"This is the Jewel-of-the-Flowing-Tide. If
at any time your elder brother attacks you, hold
this in your hand, and the tide will advance and
drown him."
Then he pressed another flashing jewel into
his hands, saying again : —
"This is the Jewel-of-the-Ebbing-Tide. If,
when your brother is drowning, he repents,
hold this in your hand and you will save him."
After which the Sea-King called a Crocodile,
PRINCE FIRESHIXE 231
and commanded him to take Prince Firefade on
his back, and carry him safely to his home.
He did so, and in a few minutes Prince Firefade
was standing before his own house. Prince Fire-
shine met him sullenly, and, snatching the hook
from him, carried it into the house.
Strange to say, from that very time ill-luck
attended all that Prince Fireshine did, and soon
he became so poor that he had nothing to eat.
"This is all your fault!" he cried one day to
Prince Firefade. "It is you who have brought
all this misfortune upon me!" And drawing his
knife, he attacked him.
Then Prince Firefade took the Jewel-of-the-
Flo wing-Tide into his hand. Then the great
waves came rolling in, and began to drown Prince
Fireshine, who cried out: —
"Save me! Save me, oh my brother! I have
done very wrongly!"
So Prince Firefade took the Jewel-of-the-Ebb-
ing Tide in his hand, and the waves drew back
into the sea again.
When Prince Fireshine saw that he was saved,
he fell at Prince Firefade's feet, saying humbly: —
"You have rescued me. Henceforth I will
serve you faithfully. Night and day will I be
your guard."
232 THE WONDER GARDEN
ARION AND THE DOLPHIN
Retold from Herodotus and Ovid
WHAT sea has not known, what land does not
know, Arion? With his sweet songs he used to
stop running brooks. Often the raging Wolf
stood still, while Arion charmed men and beasts
with his lyre.
Listen, then, and I will tell you how he tamed
a Dolphin: —
Arion had a great heap of gold and silver that
he had gained as prizes for his singing. One day
he set out from Italy on a voyage to Corinth. All
his treasure was in the hold of the ship. When she
reached open sea, the sailors said to one another:
"Come, let us destroy this Arion, and divide
his wealth."
So they called him to the deck and ordered
him to jump overboard. In vain he pleaded for
his life, and even offered them all his gold and
silver; they threatened him with their swords,
and ordered him to jump without delay.
Then he begged that he might put on his finest
robe, and, standing in the poop, sing and play
for the last time. To this they consented, for
they were deh'ghted to hear such a great singer.
So he clad himself in a bright mantle twice
steeped in Tyrian purple, and put a chaplet on
his flowing hair. Standing in the poop, he struck
ARION AND THE DOLPHIN 233
his lyre, and sang like a dying Swan his last, low,
mournful lay.
The Dolphins in the sea heard him, and came
rushing through the waves. Charmed by his song
they pressed against the ship close under the
poop. Then, all clad as he was in bright garments,
he leaped overboard, splashing the blue ship with
foam and spray.
The sailors, when they saw him spring into the
sea, quickly raised all sails, and made for the
port of Corinth.
But, wondrous to tell, a Dolphin had arched
its back, and caught Arion as he leaped. Then
the other Dolphins had formed a ring around
him so that the sailors should not see him; and
all were swimming toward the land of Greece.
As they passed rapidly through the billows,
Arion struck his lyre, and sang of green ocean-
grottoes, pearl and coral strewn, and of the long-
haired laughing Naiads. So they reached the
shore before the ship, and Arion sprang safely
upon the sand.
But his perilous adventures were not over, for
when he went to Corinth and told the King how
the Dolphin had. rescued him, no one believed
his strange tale. So he was cast into prison to
await the coming of the sailors.
Soon after this, the ship entered port, and the
King summoned the sailors to appear before him.
He asked them where Arion was.
234 THE WONDER GARDEN
"He is safe in Italy, where we left him," they
answered. "He is well and flourishing."
At that Arion, dressed in the same bright
garments that he had worn when he leaped into
the sea, stepped from behind the throne and
stood before them.
The wicked, terrified men fell on their knees,
and, confessing their crime, begged for pardon.
But the King condemned them to severe pun-
ishment; after which he restored all the stolen
wealth to Arion.
As for the people of Greece, they set up a
statue of a Dolphin with Arion on its back, and
called a cluster of Stars after the good fish that
had saved one of the sweetest and greatest of
ancient wonder-singers.
THE JEWEL TEARS
Japanese Folktale
IN far-away Japan, in ancient days, there lived
by the sea a youth named Totaro. One day, as
he was about to cross a bridge, he saw a strange
creature lying upon it. The creature had a body
like a man's, with a black skin, and the head of
a Dragon. Its eyes glowed like Emeralds, and
its long green beard swept the bridge.
At first Totaro was afraid, but, on looking
closer, he saw that the eyes of the creature were
filled with tears.
THE JEWEL TEARS 235
"Who are you?" exclaimed Totaro.
"I am Samebito," said the monster mourn-
fully. "I am a servant of the Eight Dragon
Kings who live in the depth of the sea. For a
small offence I have been banished from the
Dragon Palace, and may not return. Now I am
lonely, and without food and shelter. Pity me,
good Totaro, and give me a home and something
to eat."
"You certainly are in a sad plight," answered
Totaro. "Come with me to my home, and I
will provide for you."
So the creature followed his new master to his
garden. There Totaro placed him in a clear blue
lake on which floated rose-coloured Lotus flowers,
while on its banks grew gay Azaleas bending to
look at themselves in the water. And there he
left Samebito and fed him daily. So for nearly
a year the strange creature lived in the clear blue
lake.
Now one day when Totaro rode forth to enjoy
the festival of Cherry-blossoms, he saw a beau-
tiful maiden sitting beneath the Cherry-trees.
And, as the breezes blew the white-pink petals
from the boughs, they dropped in showers upon
her dark hair and richly embroidered kimono.
And as Totaro gazed he fell in love with the
maiden.
He inquired who she was, and learned that
her name was Tamana, and that she had many
236 THE WONDER GARDEN
suitors. Yet none would she wed unless he pre-
sented her with a casket containing ten thousand
jewels.
When Totaro learned this he was filled with
despair, for, though he was wealthy, yet not all
his riches were sufficient to purchase ten thou-
sand rare gems.
He returned to his home, and became so ill,
that the doctor shook his head and said that
nothing could cure him.
Now Samebito, in the clear blue lake, heard
the servants say that his master was ill and
dying. So he crept from the water and hastened
to Totaro's chamber.
"Oh, Samebito," cried Totaro, when he saw
him enter, "who will feed you when I am gone?"
" Alas ! Alas ! My good master ! ' ' cried Same-
bito.
Then, uttering a wild yell, the creature began
to weep great tears of blood. And as the tears
fell on the floor they changed into glowing
Rubies.
When Totaro saw the bright jewels spark-
ling on the floor, he shouted with delight, and
his health came back. He sprang from his
couch and began to gather up the Rubies.
Seeing this, Samebito stopped weeping, and
asked in astonishment why his master had re-
covered so suddenly.
"It is because of your tears!" cried Totaro.
THE JEWEL TEARS 237
"I was dying of grief since I could not procure
ten thousand jewels for the maiden Tamana.
Now that your tears have turned to Rubies, she
will consent to become my bride!"
Then Totaro counted the jewels, but there
were not ten thousand.
"Not enough! Not enough !" he cried. "Weep!
Samebito, weep!"
"What!" said Samebito angrily; "do you
think I can weep at will? I wept only because
you were dying. Now that you are well, it is a
time for laughter, not for grief."
"But unless you weep," replied Totaro, "I
cannot get ten thousand jewels, and the beau-
tiful Tamana will not marry me. What, then,
am I to do? Weep, dear friend, weep!"
"Master," answered Samebito, sorrowfully,
"I cannot cry unless I am sad. Let us, therefore,
return to the bridge where you found me. Per-
haps as I sit and gaze toward the Dragon Palace,
and as I think of my lost home, I may weep."
So to the bridge "by the sea they went, and
Samebito sat and gazed into the green water,
and as he did so his eyes filled with great tears of
blood. As the teardrops fell on the bridge they
changed into glowing Rubies.
Shouting with delight, Totaro gathered up the
jewels, and found that he now had many more
than ten thousand.
At that same moment sweet strains of music
238 THE WONDER GARDEN
came from the sea. And from the waves arose a
Rainbow mist that shaped itself into a wonderful
palace. And when Samebito saw this he gave
a cry of joy.
"Farewell, my master!" he exclaimed. "The
Dragon Kings are calling!"
Then, plunging from the bridge, the strange
creature disappeared for ever beneath the ocean
foam.
Totaro hastened to place his jewels in a mag-
nificent casket and present them to Tamana.
Soon afterward their marriage feast was cele-
brated with great joy.
THE FAIRY SWAN SONG
Celtic Myth
BEAUTIFUL was the Fairy Palace on the Boyne,
and through its glittering halls the magic music
rose and fell and died away.
In the largest and most glittering hall, on
silken cushions, Angus, the Fairy Prince of Love,
lay sleeping. Over his head hovered four bright-
plumaged birds, which were his gentle kisses.
And when the bright birds sang, the strains of
their melody pierced the green earth, and mortal
maids and mortal youths loved one another.
Now, while the Fairy Prince was sleeping, the
birds began to sing a song so low and tender
that it failed to pierce the earth, and falling
THE FAIRY SWAN SONG 239
like a mist, softly stole into Prince Angus's
dream.
And lo! he thought he saw a lake great and
wild, and by its margin walked a maiden robed
in white and crowned with yellow gold. And as
he gazed, she turned luminous eyes upon him,
and his heart grew sad with love, and he awoke.
Then through East, through West, through
South, through North, rode Prince Angus, the
bright birds fluttering above his head, and he
searched the world over and found not the
maiden.
Then to his aid he called the Red King of the
Fairies, and bade him seek for her throughout
the land. For a year and a day the Red King
searched, and then, returning, said: —
"Shining One, the maiden of your dream
dwells at a lake called the Lake of the Dragon's
Mouth. Thither must you go with me to find
her."
So over bog and moor, over valley and moun-
tain, over brook and meadow, fared Prince
Angus and the Red King, till they reached the
shore of the Lake of the Dragon's Mouth, a lake
great and wild.
And on its margin walked two by two thrice
fifty gold-crowned maidens, trailing their white
robes through the lush green grass, yellow with
blowing Lilies. And the maidens were linked
two by two with golden chains, and one of the
240 THE WONDER GARDEN
maidens was taller and fairer than the rest.
And as they passed Prince Angus, the fairest
one turned luminous eyes upon him.
"That is she," cried he to the Red King, "that
is the maiden of my dream! Tell me by what
name she is known."
"Her name is Caer," answered the Red King.
"She is the daughter of the Fairy Prince of
Connacht. But so powerful is she that we shall
not be able to take her by force. Let us then
seek her father and ask for his aid."
So to the Fairy Prince of Connacht they
went.
"I cannot give you my daughter Caer,"
said he, "for she is more powerful than I. She
is a Swan-Maiden, and in the form of a Swan
does she dwell on the waters of the Lake of
the Dragon's Mouth. When the Moon is at the
full you will see her, together with thrice fifty
other Swans save one, crowned with yellow
gold."
So when the Moon was at the full, to the Lake
of the Dragon's Mouth went Prince Angus; and
the four bright birds sang low and witching
notes as they flew above his head. And when
he drew near, he saw that the lake was no longer
wild, but smooth like glass, and on its surface,
mirrored in the moonlit waters, floated two by
two thrice fifty snow-white Swans, each crowned
with yellow gold. And the Swans were linked
THE FAIRY SWAN SONG 241
two by two with golden chains, and one of the
Swans was whiter and larger than the rest.
"Caer, most beautiful of Swan-Maidens!"
cried the Prince. "Oh, come and speak to me!"
"Who calls me?" said Caer.
"Tis I, Angus, the Fairy Prince of Love,"
he answered. "And hither am I come to the
world's end, seeking you, O Maiden of my
dream."
And even as he spoke, his form was changed
into that of a Swan, large and snow-white and
beautiful. Uttering a joyous cry he plunged into
the lake to join Caer.
Then from the water together they rose on
their swan-wings, circling higher and higher,
and toward the Fairy Palace on the Boyne they
flew, making as they went such delicious music
that all mortals who heard their song straightway
fell into a magic slumber for three nights and
three days.
And above the heads of the flying Swans
hovered and fluttered the four bright-plumaged
birds shedding sweet melody upon earth — a
gift for mortal maids and mortal youths.
ON THE WINGS OF THE WIND IN
THE RAINBOW SKY
THE SONG OF THE CLOUD
1 bring fresh Showers for the thirsting flowers,
From the seas and the streams;
I bear light shade for the leaves when laid
Ir their noonday dreams.
From my wings are shaken the Dews that waken
The sweet buds every one,
When rocked to rest on their mother's breast,
As she dances about the Sun.
I wield the flail of the lashing Hail,
And whiten the green plains under,
And then again I dissolve it in Rain,
And laugh as I pass in Thunder.
That orbed maiden with white fire laden,
Whom mortals call the Moon,
Glides glimmering o'er my fleece-like floor,
By the midnight breezes strewn;
And wherever the beat of her unseen feet,
Which only the Angels hear,
May have broken the woof of my tent's thin rooft
The Stars peep behind her and peer;
And I laugh to see them whirl and flee,
Like a swarm of golden Bees,
When I widen the rent in my wind-built tent,
Till the calm rivers, lakes, and seas,
Like strips of the sky fallen through me on high,
Are each paved with the Moon and these!
From PEBCT BYSSHE SHELLEY'S The Cloud
WHY THE IRIS WEARS RAINBOW
COLOURS
Old Tale
A VERY marvellous family had Wonder, the son
of Pontus, and the Nymph Brightness, the
daughter of Old Father Ocean.
Four daughters were theirs, three of whom
were called the Harpies or Snatchers. Most
dreadful winged-monsters these three were, with
bodies like birds', and faces like women's, and
breath that rushed from their nostrils like the
blast of stormy winds.
Over the heaving seas they flew, now seizing
a ship and whirling it far out of its course, and
now swooping down and snatching food from
its deck or plundering everything on which
they could lay their sharp claws.
Though these three children of Wonder and
Brightness were such horrible creatures, their
fourth daughter was good and beautiful. Iris
was her name, — swift-footed Iris-of-the-Golden-
Wings.
When Iris passed like a flash through the air,
so rapid was her flight that her burnished golden
wings shone like sunbeams, while her long robe,
of brilliant blended colours, lay like a bright
scarf against the grey sky.
246 THE WONDER GARDEN
So wise was Iris that Juno, the wife of Jupiter,
took her to live in the shining Palace on Mount
Olympus, to be her attendant and messenger.
Iris joyfully waited upon her night and day,
making Juno's bed, and harnessing her Pea-
cocks to the royal chariot. She even slept in
sandals and robe by the side of Juno's golden
throne, ever ready to start up and bear her mis-
tress's commands over the Rainbow Bridge to
any part of the world.
One day Juno, to reward her faithful Iris,
called for a golden goblet filled with Nectar,
and sprinkled a few drops of the precious liquor
over the earth.
They fell into the flower-cup of a stately
white Flag growing by a river. Then they
foamed up in beautiful colours, — red, orange,
yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, — and,
overflowing, stained the petals of the Flag with
all the hues of the Rainbow.
So Juno named the flower "Iris."
FLOWER OF THE RAINBOW
New Tale
IN the long, long ago, in those wonder-days
when Daphne became the Laurel and Clytie
the Heliotrope, at the foot of Mount Helicon
there dwelt a Shepherd-lad, named Chrysos.
Each day he led his flocks along the grassy
FLOWER OF THE RAINBOW 247
bank of a stream that gushed cold and pure
from the mountain-side. When he was hungry,
he plucked the ripe fruits that hung from the
boughs above his head. When he was thirsty,
he drank of the sparkling water. And if the hot
rays of the noonday Sun beat upon the earth, he
sat beneath a shady tree, and played upon his
pipes while his flock gambolled about him.
Now there were Shepherdesses near that
stream, but Chrysos would not walk with them.
He preferred to wander alone by the water, and
to dream.
"Come, Chrysos," the Shepherdesses would
call. "Come, dance with us among the flowers.
Come and be merry."
But he would only shake his head, and driv-
ing his flock farther on, would sit upon a bank
and dream.
And Chrysos dreamed of gold! — always of
gold heaped up and glistening! Rich gold, red
gold! Night and day he longed for gold! The
purple Crocus, the perfumed Violet, the silvery
Narcissus bending over the stream, the caressing
airs, the laughing waters leaping down the
mountain-side, none of these did Chrysos see
or hear.
And when the Sun broke through the gentle
rains of Spring, and the Rainbow's radiant arch
bent over Mount Helicon, Chrysos gazed upon
the arch and sighed: —
248 THE WONDER .GARDEN
"Ah me! Ah me! They say the Bow sheds
gold! Fortunate the man who at the end of
yonder arch may find the Crock that holds the
gold of Iris! Oh would that I might find that
gold! Ah me! Ah me!"
And sighing thus, he dreamed.
So it happened on a fragrant day, the Sun
smiled behind a veil of soft Spring shower,
and Chrysos sat beneath a tree watching for
the Rainbow to span Mount Helicon. Then, sud-
denly, swiftly, the flashing, shimmering band,
all rosy, yellow, violet, blue, like a path of
blended lights, reached from Chrysos' feet up
through the Sky, and bent in a glorious arc
across Mount Helicon.
Then down this Rainbow-path there seemed
to glide, to float, to wing its way, a lovely form,
a maiden with robes of a thousand hues, and
golden wings that burned like flames. She held
aloft a herald's staff, and in her other hand a
crystal vase from which distilled the drops that
fed the Clouds.
So floating, gliding, down the Rainbow-path
she came, and beckoned with her staff to won-
dering Chrysos. Up he sprang and threw his
crook aside.
" Iris ! The gold ! The gold ! " he cried.
And straight he leaped upon the Bow that
trembled underneath his feet. But it held firm.
And Iris, smiling, turned, and floated upward;
BOY WHOSE WINGS FELL OFF 249
while Chrysos, panting, pressed on up the
Rainbow-path.
Then the Sun shone forth, and the Rain ceased.
The trembling Rainbow melted beneath Chrysos'
mortal feet. And with a cry he fell.
The Shepherdesses saw him fall; and though,
day and night, they searched the mountain-
side, they could not find his broken body. But
in a dewy hollow by the stream where he had
sat, they saw a little flower with Rainbow-petals
and golden heart. And when the Sun rose high
and cast his hot rays, the flower faded and was
gone.
THE BOY WHOSE WINGS FELL OFF
Retold from Ovid
A FEARFUL monster was the Minotaur of Crete,
half Bull and half man, a savage monster whose
daily food was beautiful youths. So horrible
was he, that King Minos commanded Daedalus,
a famous artisan, to build an abode strong
enough to hold him.
So Daedalus laid out a Labyrinth containing so
many winding passages and bewildering mazes
that every one who entered became confused
and could never find his way out again. In the
very heart of this Labyrinth, the King shut up
the Minotaur.
Now Daedalus and his young son, Icarus,
250 THE WONDER GARDEN
were exiles, and held as captives in the Island
of Crete; and they were watched night and day
lest they should try to escape. So Daedalus
thought to himself: —
"If by my skill I could build the Labyrinth,
why can I not invent a means of escape? The
.sea belongs to King Minos! But the air belongs
tome!"
Thereupon he began to fashion two pairs of
wings like a bird's, arranging the long feathers
in order, and fastening them together with
thread and wax. Young Icarus stood by his
side, smiling eagerly. Now he sorted the
feathers for his father, now he kneaded the
yellow wax.
When the wings were finished, Daedalus at-
tached one pair to his own shoulders, and put
the other pair on Icarus. Then he beat his own
wings together, and, raising himself from the
earth, said : —
"My dear son, follow me with care. Fly not
too low, or the water will wet your feathers.
Fly not too high, or the Sun will melt the wax."
Then kissing Icarus tenderly, and trembling
for his safety, he led the way over the sea.
Icarus followed, beating his wings with delight.
Onward and onward they flew. Under them
rolled the fierce billows, and above them spread
out the wide sky.
Soon Icarus forgot his father's command, and
THE MAN IN THE MOON 251
began to long for a bolder flight. He was even
filled with a great desire to reach Heaven itself.
So he mounted higher and higher, until the hot
Sun melted the wax, and his wings fell from his
shoulders.
Then downward, like a plummet, he dropped
into the dark water. In terror he stretched out
his arms and called aloud for his father, but the
hungry billows closed over his head.
Meanwhile Dsedalus missed his son, and flew
to and fro calling his name. Looking down he
saw his wings floating on the water. In vain
he searched and called. Then soon he perceived
the waves casting Icarus's body on to the shore
of an island.
Then the wretched father, winging his way
to the land, lifted the body of his dear son
tenderly, and mourned over it with tears. After
which he buried it there in a tomb that he made.
And that island was called Icaria.
THE MAN IN THE MOON
Folktale
ONCE upon a time, an old man lived in a hut
near a forest. He was too lazy to gather fagots
for his fire; so one Sunday, when he thought
that every one else was at Church, he slipped
into the forest and stole a bundle of fagots that
was lying under a tree.
252 THE WONDER GARDEN
Softly he crept out of the forest again, with
the bundle of fagots on his back, when what
should he see but a stranger on a white horse
galloping toward him.
"Old man," said the stranger, "since you have
stolen these fagots, and stolen them on Sunday
as well, you shall be punished. To what place
would you rather be banished? To the Sun, or
to the Moon?"
"The Sun is too hot," answered the old man.
"I would rather freeze in the Moon."
Scarcely were the words out of his mouth
when — whisk — he shot up through the Sky,
and landed straight in the Moon.
And there he stands to-day with the bundle
of fagots on his back. Some folk say that his
wife is with him, churning and churning and
churning, as a punishment, because she churned
on Sunday when everybody else was at Church.
And they say, too, that sometimes the Man in
the Moon comes down to earth with a bag on
his back, and that he carries off all the bad
children.
THE STORY OF JACK AND JILL
Norse Myth
Retold from the Younger Edda
ONCE upon a time, the bright maiden, called
Sun, was driving her flame-red chariot through
THE STORY OF JACK AND JILL 253
the sky. Swiftly her horses sped along the blue
arch of heaven, the fleecy clouds floating about
their feet. At last they reached the place where
the Sun always sets, and vanished beyond the
sea.
Darkness fell, but not for long. Soon the
softly shining youth, called Moon, came gently
driving his flame-white chariot from the place
where the Moon always rises. And silently the
chariot cast its broad, silvery beams over land
and sea.
Now Moon was very lonesome, for at night
the world was quiet, and people slept or rested.
But it happened one night that two children
were wandering around in the moonlight. The
boy's name was Juke, and the girl's, Bil. They
carried a pail of water between them, hung
from a pole on their shoulders.
Moon looked down and saw them. Gently
he guided his horses to earth, and, snatching up
the children, carried them into the sky. There
he placed them in his flame-white chariot.
And you may see them to-day, whenever the
Moon is full. There they stand, Juke and Bil,
holding their pail of water between them.
254 THE WONDER GARDEN
THE SHEEP IN THE PASTURE
Welsh Myth
IN the ancient land of Wales there once lived
two brothers, Kings of Britain. Their names
were Peibaw and Nynniaw. One moonlight
night they were walking together in the royal
garden.
"Look! See what a fine, wide field I have,"
said Nynniaw.
"Where is it?" asked Peibaw.
"There above our heads — the whole wide
heaven," said Nynniaw.
"But look! See, all my cattle are grazing in
your field!" said Peibaw.
"Where are they?" asked Nynniaw.
"There above our heads — all the golden
Stars, with the Moon for their shepherd," said
Peibaw.
"They shall not graze in my field!" cried
Nynniaw.
"I say they shall," said Peibaw.
"They shall not!"
"They shall!"
"They shall not!"
And they went on quarrelling and answering
each other until they returned to the palace.
Then the two brothers called together their
armies and went to war. They laid waste the
BOYS WHO BECAME PLEIADES 255
land, burned down houses, and killed the peo-
ple, until at last they both were changed into
Oxen, as a punishment for their stupidity and
wickedness.
THE LAZY BOYS WHO BECAME
THE PLEIADES
Caddo Myth
LONG, long ago, there lived an old woman who
had seven children, all boys. Those seven boys
were so full of fun and frolic that they would
run off by themselves and play from morning
till night. Indeed, they liked to play so well
that they scarcely took time to eat. And, as
they never worked, their mother was always
scolding them soundly.
It happened one evening they came home so
late that their mother sent them to bed with-
out supper. And though they got up very early
the next morning, she refused to give them any
breakfast. So they were hungry and sad.
Now their mother did not know it, but they
had learned some magic songs. So they went
outside, and began to dance round and round
the house, singing mournfully.
By and by their mother heard them, and
came rushing out. She saw their feet slowly
rising from the ground; but still they kept on
dancing and singing. She was very much
256 THE WONDER GARDEN
frightened, and tried to grasp their legs, but up,
up the seven boys went, circling higher and
higher into the sky.
And there they became Seven Stars; and the
Paleface Children call them the Pleiades.
And because those seven boys did not like to
work, the Seven Stars may be seen only in
Winter. But in Spring and Summer, when the
time is come for ploughing, planting, and reap-
ing, those lazy Seven-Star Brothers are gone.
THE MAIDEN IN THE MOON
Folktale from Eastern Europe
ONCE upon a time, there was a charming maiden
called Twilight. She was so lovely that she de-
lighted to admire her own face.
One evening she knelt down beside the silver
looking-glass of a river, and gazed at her re-
flection in the quiet water. She saw her cloud-
like dusky hair, her softly beaming eyes, and
her smiling mouth. And so she knelt in de-
light, admiring her own image.
Now it chanced that the white youth, called
Moon, rose high above the mountains, and
glanced down into the silver looking-glass of
the river. He saw the reflection of Twilight's
lovely face gazing up at him.
Then quickly he descended from the Sky,
and laid himself like a bright silver disc under
THE COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW 257
the smooth water, and gazed back into Twi-
light's beaming eyes. And straightway she
forgot her own lovely image, and could think
only of Moon's white beauty.
So she would have knelt the whole night
through, but a thick darkness fell upon the
Earth, for Moon had forgotten to send his
silver beams over land and sea.
And when Twilight saw the darkness, she
wept with sorrow, then Moon remembered his
duty. Swiftly he rose from under the water,
and, gathering her in his arms, carried her back
with him to the Sky.
So to-day lovely Twilight rests her head against
the bright Moon, and there you may see her
happy face.
THE COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW
New Tale
"CHILD," asked the Fairy, "how are you off for
Rainbows?"
"Rainbows!" said the Child scornfully, "how
could I have a Rainbow with my dull life? You
have to have sunshine for that!"
"Ah, but, Child," returned the Fairy, "you
also have to have rain. — Do you know," she con-
tinued, "what the Rainbow-colours mean?"
"No," said the Child. "What do they
mean?"
258 THE WONDER GARDEN
The Fairy smoothed her long white wings.
"Violet is For-Other-People's-Sorrows. Indigo
is Troubles-of-Your-Own. True Blue is for
Honest-Purposes, and Green for Happy-Memo-
ries."
"And Yellow?" said the Child softly. "I
love Yellow!"
"Yellow is the Blessings- We-Forget. Orange,
splendid glowing Orange, is God's Promise-of-
Victory, and Red is the Richness-of-Life-After-
All."
The Fairy bent to tighten her heel-wings.
" So you see, Child, you need both Sun and Rain
to make a Rainbow."
"I see," said the Child. "What is the Sun?"
"The Sun is the Love-That-is-in-You."
"Oh!" said the Child. "And what is the
Rain?"
"The Rain is the Need-Right-Around-You."
"Oh!" said the Child. "And can I — "
"You certainly can," said the Fairy, smiling,
and she vanished.
GLADYS WOLCOTT BABNES
A DROP OF THE WATER OF LIGHT
New Tale
ONCE upon a time, there was a Queen who had
two children, — a son named Floribel, and a
daughter named Coeca. They were both ex-
THE WATER OF LIGHT 259
tremely beautiful. But, alas! when the Prin-
cess Coeca reached her sixteenth year, she
became blind. Her large, soft brown eyes had
no light in them.
The Queen consulted the Wisemen of the
Kingdom; and they said: —
"Her aunt, the wicked Queen Pomarea, has
cast a spell upon her. Nothing will break it
and restore her sight except a Drop of the
Water of Light."
" Where does this water come from?" asked
Prince Floribel.
"It springs from the Glacier of the Moun-
tains of the Moon," replied the Wisemen.
"Then I will go and get a drop," said the
Prince.
"There are many great dangers in the way,"
said the Wisemen.
"Nevertheless I will go," answered the Prince,
for he loved his sister tenderly.
While he was preparing for the journey, his
mother entered his apartment, and, pulling a
hair from her head, presented it to him.
"My son," said she, "cast this before you,
and it will lead you to your sister's Fairy
Godmother, who will tell you what to do
next."
Prince Floribel obediently cast the hair before
him, and it sailed out of the window. He leaped
after it, and was carried rapidly along to a
260 THE WONDER GARDEN
strange land, where he was dropped gently
upon the ground. All around him were hedges
to which clung quantities of gossamer webs,
spangled with dew. He then saw that his
mother's hair was caught in one of these webs.
He put his finger into the gossamer threads to
disentangle the hair, and instantly the web grew
larger and larger, and, enveloping him like a
veil, carried him off his feet, and wafted him to
the Clouds.
There he found himself in Fairyland; and a
kind old Fairy was standing before him.
"Prince Floribel," said she, "I am the Fairy
Godmother of the Princess Coeca. I will do
what I can for you, for your purpose is good.
You shall go to the Mountains of the Moon.
I will give you three things, — your mother's
hair, a tray, and a bit of advice."
So saying, she handed him a little sandal-
wood tray, and, taking the hair from him,
stroked it, and stroked it, while it grew longer
and longer. Then she twisted it, and reeled it
on a spindle.
"When you require a boat," said she, "set
this tray upon the water and step into it. As
for the hair, look!"
She cast the end before her, and the spindle
began to unwind rapidly as the end of the hair
flew away.
"Reel this up as you follow it," said she,
THE WATER OF LIGHT 261
"and unwind it again when you return." And
she handed him the spindle.
Immediately the gossamer web enveloped
Prince Floribel more closely, and wafted him
down to the lower world again. As he set his
feet upon the earth, he saw a rusty crowbar
lying there. He picked it up and took it along
with him.
Presently he came to a House that was groan-
ing and moaning loudly.
"Why do you groan and moan so?" asked he.
"Because," said the House, "my windows and
door are all on one side, and that side is turned
toward the North. The bright warm rays of
the Sun cannot reach my rooms, so they are
mouldy and damp, and bugs live in them."
"I'll quickly change all that," said Prince
Floribel, for he was very kind-hearted.
So with his crowbar he turned the House
around until its windows faced the South and
the warm sunshine poured into them. Then the
House stopped groaning and moaning, and
laughed instead.
As Prince Floribel was turning away, he heard
something weeping and sobbing, and saw on a
window-sill a lank little Ivy-vine in a pot. It
was pale and feeble.
"Why are you weeping and sobbing so?"
asked he.
"Because I have not enough soil to grow in,"
262 THE WONDER GARDEN
said the Ivy, "and the bright light cannot touch
my roots."
"I'll quickly change all that," said the Prince,
So he took the little Ivy-vine out of its pot,
and planted it by the side of the House where
the bright light could strengthen it.
Then he saw that the Ivy-vine was glisten-
ing and dripping with dew as if with tears of
gratitude; and he heard its little voice say: —
"Because you have been so kind to the House
and to me, I will help you when you need it."
Prince Floribel then pursued his way, and
soon came to the place where the River of
Light rolled along. He set his tray upon the
water, and stepped into it. It immediately be-
came a boat, and he sailed rapidly up the river.
Soon he saw before him the mighty Moun-
tains of the Moon, shining like Diamonds, and
reaching halfway up to heaven. Between them
rose the Glacier, flashing brighter than any
Diamond, while from its side gushed a waterfall,
that, as it touched the river, broke into spray
whose drops sparkled like Opals, Rubies, and
Pearls.
Prince Floribel caught one pearly drop in the
palm of his hand, and, turning his boat around,
shot down the river. But the banks were dif-
ferent now. They towered above him in cliffs
and crags too steep and sharp to climb.
It grew dark as pitch around him. As he un-
THE WATER OF LIGHT 263
reeled the spindle with his right hand, with his
left he held aloft the Drop of the Water of
Light that illumined the whole darkness before
him.
Thus Prince Floribel sailed on for some time,
until suddenly the hair rose to the top of the
cliff, and at the same instant he heard the
thunderous roar of a cataract toward which his
boat was speeding. His heart stood still with
terror, and he trembled so that the drop danced,
and almost fell from his palm.
Then he saw before him the end of a frail
streamer of Ivy hanging from the cliff, and
waving in the draught of the river. He caught
it with his right hand, and as he did so, the boat
shot from under his feet, and plunged down the
cataract.
Clinging to the Ivy, Prince Floribel climbed
to the top of the cliff. He found himself in a
wide country, and, following the hair, soon
reached ,the Kingdom of his wicked Aunt
Pomarea.
He stayed there just long enough to put his
crowbar under her throne, and turn it toward
the Sun, for she always sat facing the North.
And when the bright sunshine streamed into
the dark recesses of her heart, she saw how
many mean and spiteful thoughts were hidden
there. She wept so hard that the tears car-
ried away all her bad feelings and left her heart
264 THE WONDER GARDEN
filled with light, and with love for her sister,
and for Prince Floribel, and the Princess Coeca.
After that the Prince hastened to his mother's
Kingdom, and dashed the Drop of the Water of
Light into the Princess Coeca's eyes. At once
she sprang up with a cry of joy, for she could
see again.
I need not declare the happiness of Prince
Floribel, the wonder of the Princess Coeca, nor
tell how glad the Queen-mother was, nor how
great were the rejoicings of the people, nor how
magnificent was the royal banquet that good
Queen Pomarea attended with all her -Court.
S. BARING-GOULD (retold)
THE HALCYON BIRDS
Retold from Ovid
ONCE upon a time, there was a King named
Ceyx, who was very happy with his beloved
wife Haley one, the daughter of old King zEolus,
ruler of the Winds.
It happened that Ceyx's brother was lost
most mysteriously, so he determined to set out
on a voyage in search of him. This he told his
wife Haley one; and she grew pale, and wept at
the thought of their parting.
"I swear to you, Dear One," said he, "that I
will return before the new Moon appears twice
in the sky."
THE HALCYON BIRDS 265
And with this promise, he bade her good-bye,
and stepped into the swift, many-oared ship.
She, shuddering, wrung her hands and cried: —
"Farewell! my Beloved, farewell!"
So King Ceyx's ship set out over the boundless
deep. Onward and onward it sailed; and when
night came on the sea began to foam with swel-
ling waves. The boisterous East Wind blew
with violence. The sea was upturned with bil-
lows that seemed to reach to heaven and to lash
the Clouds. The great waves beat against the
sides of the ship.
So fearfully did they beat, and with such vio-
lence, that the bolts fell from the blanks, the
seams opened, and the fatal waves rushed in.
The ship sank, and King Ceyx was hurled far
out into the deep. He called aloud for Halcyone,
but the black hungry billows closed over his
head.
Meanwhile, Halcyone, not knowing what had
happened to her husband, began to prepare for
his return. She spun, wove, and embroidered
rich garments for him, while she sat waiting
morning and noon and night for his ship to
come sailing back.
Then Juno, Queen of all the Dwellers-on-
Mount-Olympus, looked down from her Shining
Palace, and saw poor Halcyone watching and
waiting for King Ceyx to return, — watching
and waiting in vain. She pitied the poor wife,
266 THE WONDER GARDEN
and straightway summoned her messenger, swift
Iris-of-the-Golden- Wings. She bade her go at
once to the Court of old Father Sleep, and com-
mand him to send a vision of her drowned hus-
band to Halcyone.
Iris put on her robe of a thousand colours, and,
spanning the sky with her bright Rainbow,
hastened over it to the Court of old Father
Sleep.
In a cavern in a hollow mountain he lived,
all slothful with slumber. Silence filled that
land. Fogs of darkness brooded over the cav-
ern. Within it no sound was heard of voice, or
of waving bough, or of stirring bird. Before its
door was a field of Poppies drooping their languid
heads, and near them grew rank herbs whose
dark juices bring fatal slumber.
On an ebony couch spread with dusky pillows
lay old Father Sleep, torpid and heavy-eyed;
while around him reclined the pale, transparent
forms of Dreams. And into that silent cave
came gliding golden-winged Iris, and delivered
Juno's message.
Old Father Sleep, lifting for one moment his
heavy lids, murmurmgly bade his son Morpheus
take Ceyx's shape, and appear in a dream to
Halcyone. Then back he sank in deep slumber
upon his ebony couch.
With noiseless wings, and wrapped in his dark
robe, Morpheus flew through the night. In the
THE HALCYON BIRDS 267
shape of her dead husband, he bent over Hal-
cyone's bed. She saw him, and beheld his pale
visage and dripping hair. She stretched out her
hands to hold him, but he fled away. Wailing
with grief she awoke.
Then rising from her bed, she hurried to the
shore, and standing on a rock gazed out across
the sea in the direction that she had seen her
beloved husband depart. And, lo! as she gazed
she saw something white on the crest of a distant
billow. The billow rolled toward the land, and
cast the white thing against the rock at her feet.
It was her own Ceyx's body glimmering palely
on the dark tossing water.
Tears rained down her cheeks. She stretched
out her arms. She leaped to join him in the sea.
And, lo! two wings supported her. She flew,
beating the light air with her new pinions. She
had become a bird skimming close to the water.
She touched Ceyx, kissing his mouth with her
slender beak. Then, lo! he too was changed.
Up he rose as a bird into the air. Two King-
fishers they were, — Halcyon Birds, — flying
side by side, while sad, piping notes came from
their long, slender beaks.
So they lived together, flying to and fro on the
face of the water. And every year, during seven
calm days in Winter, did Halcyone brood upon
her eggs in a nest floating on the sea. And all
those seven days were calm and peaceful be-
268 THE WONDER GARDEN
cause her father, old King JSolus, had shut up
his rough sons, the Winds, so that his daughter,
the Halcyon Bird, might brood in happiness and
safety.
THE BAG OF WINDS
Retold from Homer's Odyssey
THUS it happened in the golden days when the
Earth was young: —
The wise Ulysses, King of Ithaca, escaping
from Calypso's Fairy Isle, where he had been
enchanted, stretched himself upon a raft, and
hoisted sail. Night and day he sped over the
dark blue sea before a freshening breeze. But a
stormy Wind arising, he was cast speechless and
perishing upon the Phseacian shore.
Then the white-armed Nausicaa, the bright-
haired daughter of King Alcinous, found him.
She led him to her father's palace, that shone
with brazen walls, and golden doors guarded by
gold and silver Dogs. And there King Alcinous
welcomed him, and had him clad in new rich
robes.
Then, seated on a silver-studded throne, Ulysses,
sipping mingled wine and eating savory meats,
spoke thus : —
O Alcinous, large-hearted King, and wise
Queen Areta! Know that the story of my
sufferings is very fearful.
THE BAG OF WINDS 269
Since that time when I fought before the walls
of Troy I have wandered far, searching for my
native Ithaca. But never could I come unto
that land, for Neptune, King of the loud-sound-
ing Ocean, pursued me with his wrath. He was
enraged because I had put out the eye of his
monster son, Polyphemus the Cyclops.
Therefore he bade his stormy Winds pursue
me. Night and day they drove my tossing ship
across the loud-sounding Ocean. They blew her
from isle to isle and coast to coast.
Fearful were the misfortunes we suffered, my
men and I! For scarcely did we escape from
the drowsy Lotus-Eaters before we were impris-
oned in the loathsome cave of one-eyed Poly-
phemus, who slew and devoured some of my
men. I put out the monster's eye; and those of
us who remained quickly launched our swift-
bounding ship and beat the hoary main with our
oars. So we escaped from the Cyclops.
After other horrors had been our lot, Aurora,
the rosy-fingered child of Dawn, arose from the
bright morning Clouds, and we saw in the dis-
tance the ^Eolian Isle, the abode of King ^Eolus.
Thither we steered, and soon landed on its coast.
It was a floating island, with walls of brass
around it. And in his shining palace, day by
day, King JSolus banqueted with his twelve
lovely children. Faint strains of music, as
though the gentle breeze did touch a Fairy harp,
270 THE WONDER GARDEN
floated through the perfumed halls and hovered
over couches spread with tapestry. And to this
palace King yEolus welcomed me, and he re-
freshed us all with Nectar and delicious viands.
For one full month we tarried there; and then
I begged the King to permit us to depart, for
my soul longed for sunny Ithaca.
He consented, and went with us to our ship.
He placed within the hold a huge leather bag,
and bound it to the floor with bright silver chains.
"Ulysses, wise-hearted King," said he, "in
this bag are imprisoned all the fierce stormy
Winds. Open it not! And I will send before
you my gentle son, Zephyr, to blow against your
sails; and so may you come safely to sunny
Ithaca."
So we departed, and the gentle West Wind,
Zephyr, breathed softly on us and wafted our
ship over the smooth blue sea. Not a wave
rippled, nor was there a wreath of foam on the
far waters.
For nine days and nine nights we skimmed
over the smooth blue sea, and on the ninth day
we sighted the shore of Ithaca. Now for those
nine days and nine nights I had not slept, but
had sat with my hand ever on the rudder. And
when I saw my native fields so near, sorrow fell
from me and peace enwrapped me, while all-
powerful Sleep pressed on my weary eyelids. J
slumbered.
THE BAG OF WINDS 271
Then my men talked among themselves.
"See," said they, "what a rich gift of gold and
silver King JSolus has stored in yon huge bag!
How greatly beloved is our Chief by all men, for
when he sailed from Troy they filled the hold
with gifts and spoils of treasure for him, while
no man gave us anything! Come, let us open
this bag, and see what King ^Eolus has be-
stowed upon him!"
So they untied the bag. Alas! The fierce
stormy Winds rushed forth! They darkened
the Sky with their dusky wings. They tossed up
the raging billows. They seized the ship and
whirled her far out upon the roaring deep. And
I awoke and found the Whirlwinds bearing us
back to King J^olus's isle!
Despair grasped my soul, but silently I en-
dured, and soon we were driven upon his coast.
We landed. I took a little food and wine to
strengthen me, and hastened to the palace.
There I found King JSolus banqueting with his
children.
"What!" cried they. "Why are you here?
What evil Fate pursues you, 0 Ulysses, wretched
man? We sent you away well protected, so that
you might safely reach your home!"
"It was the fault of my unthinking men," I
said, "and of my weariness. For while I slept
they untied the bag, believing that it held much
treasure."
272 THE WONDER GARDEN
"Hence with you, wicked man!" cried King
JSolus. "Hence, miserable wretch! Vilest of
living men must you be if Fate pursues you
thus!"
Lamenting and weeping, I left the palace door.
Again we set sail upon the pitiless deep. Through
the mounting billows we drove, only to suffer
greater misfortunes, for Neptune, King of the
loud-sounding Ocean, called up again his stormy
Winds, and they raged around us.
Many and fearful were our adventures, until
at last all my men — my comrades — perished,
and I was shipwrecked on the sand of Calypso's
Fairy Isle. And there I languished seven years,
enchanted by the bright-haired Nymph. But
when she saw me grieving, mercy moved her
heart, and she sent me forth upon a raft to search
once more for sunny Ithaca.
So I escaped from the enchanted Isle, but
Neptune, still pursuing me, I was cast perishing
upon thy shore, O Alcinous, large-hearted King!
Then did the white-armed Nausicaa save me
and bring me hither.
And so the bag of Winds that King ^Eolus
gave, wrought despair for me and destruction for
my men.
Thus ended his tale, the wise Ulysses, and sat
in silent grief.
WITH FLASH O' FIRE AND GLINT
0' GOLD
HOW THE CYCLOPS MADE .ENEAS'
ARMOUR IN VULCAN'S FORGE
In streams the gold, the copper flows,
And in the mighty furnace glows
The death-inflicting steel.
A shield they plan, whose single guard
May all the blows of Latium ward
Some make the windy bellows heave,
Now give forth air, and now receive.
The copper hisses in the wave.
The anvils press the groaning cave.
With measured cadence each and all
The giant hammers rise and fall.
The griping pincers, deftly plied,
Turn the rough ore from side to side.
And the Cyclops made: —
The helm that like a meteor burns,
The sword that rules the war,
The breastplate shooting bloody rays,
As dusky clouds in sunlight blaze,
Refulgent from afar,
The polished greaves of molten gold,
The spear, the shield with fold on fold,
A prodigy of art untold.
From VIRGIL'S ^ENEID (Condensed.)
THE GOLDEN GIFT OF KING MIDAS
Retold from Herodotus and Ovid
ONCE upon a time, there lived a King of Phrygia
named Midas. He loved gold above everything
and everybody. And next to gold he loved his
spacious and beautiful Rose Gardens, in which
Roses grew in great pink and white masses.
Everywhere the Rose-Vines trailed across walls
and around statues; they climbed over the roof
of the palace; they covered the ivory pleasure-
houses; they wreathed the tree-trunks; and they
perfumed the whole place. And every Rose
blossom had sixty petals, and was larger and
more fragrant than any other Rose in the world.
Inside King Midas's palace were couches of
silver and ivory; cups, plates, and vases of
precious metals beautifully chased; heaps of
treasure; and a throne more magnificent than
that of any other King on earth.
But in spite of all these riches King Midas
was not happy, and wandered about his Rose
Gardens, sighing for still greater treasures.
Now it happened, one day, that his servants
brought to him Silenus, the attendant of Bacchus,
Keeper-of - All-the-Viney ards-in-the- World . This
Silenus was a stout, merry old fellow, flat-nosed
and bald, who often drank more wine than was
276 THE WONDER GARDEN
good for him. And the servants of King Midas
had found him swaying about on the back of an
Ass, and waving a big pot of wine in the air.
So they brought him, just as he was, crowned
with grape-leaves and singing loudly, into one
of the Rose Gardens.
King Midas immediately gave orders that he
should be taken into the palace, treated with all
respect, and entertained royally. Then a few
days after, King Midas himself escorted Silenus
to Bacchus, Keeper-of-All-the-Vineyards-in-the-
World.
Now Bacchus was merry-hearted and gener-
ous, so he gratefully said that King Midas might
make a wish, and have anything he desired.
"Let it be, then," said King Midas eagerly,
"that everything I touch shall instantly become
gold."
"So be it," said Bacchus, laughing heartily,
"though your wish is a bad one."
King Midas departed, and on his way home
he gently touched an oak-twig that hung above
his head. And, lo! it was instantly changed to
pure gold!
Then he took up a stone, and it turned into
pale gold. He seized a clod of earth, and found
that he was grasping a yellow lump that
crumbled into gold-dust and trickled through
his fingers. He broke off some ears of Corn;
they hardened, and glistened in the sunshine.
GOLDEN GIFT OF KING MIDAS 277
He plucked an Apple, and, lo! it was as bright
and beautiful as one from the Garden of the
Hesperides.
Oh, joyful, then, was King Midas! He
hastened into his palace; and as he brushed past
the lofty door-posts, they turned into pilasters
of carven gold. He went hurrying from room
to room, touching article after article; and soon
all things in his palace glimmered, and shim-
mered, and sparkled in the sunlight.
But, alas! when King Midas sat down to eat,
and his servants poured water over his hands,
the drops that fell through his fingers were small
golden balls. And when they set a table before
him laden with sweetmeats and spiced viands, he
bit with hungry teeth — not into food, but on
hard lumps of precious metal. Groaning with
hunger and thirst, he lifted his cup, and nothing
but liquid gold passed through his lips.
And so it was on the next day, and on the
next; there was nothing but gold, gold, gold, for
King Midas to eat and drink. At last fierce
hunger gnawed his vitals, burning thirst parched
his throat, and he hated all his wealth. Then he
rushed from his palace to find Bacchus again.
" O Keeper - of - All - the - Vineyards - in - the -
World!" he cried. "What have I done to de-
serve this misery? Have pity on me! Take
back your fatal gift, and give me food and drink
once more!"
278 THE WONDER GARDEN
"O foolish man!" said Bacchus, laughing.
"Did I not say that your wish was a bad one?
But, in order that your treasures, which you so
greatly desired, may not slay you, go to the
river that flows by the great city of Sardis.
Follow it to its source in the mountain, and
plunge your head under its bubbling water where
it bursts from the mountain-side. Then shall
my golden gift leave you."
So to the source of the river King Midas
hastened, and plunged his head into its cold
bubbling water. And as he did so the waves of
the river grew yellow, and the sand at its
bottom sparkled with golden grains. Then, rais-
ing his head, he found to his joy that the fatal
gift had passed from him. It was gone for ever.
So he ate and drank again, and returned to his
palace and Rose Gardens a wiser and more con-
tented man.
As for the river, from that time on it flowed
over sands formed of golden grains that glinted
and sparkled in the sun.
LITTLE WHITE RABBIT
Menomini Myth
ONCE upon a time, in Red Indian Land, a small
lodge stood on an island in a great lake. In the
lodge lived a poor old woman all alone.
One day she set a wooden bowl on the table,
LITTLE WHITE RABBIT 279
and when she lifted it, under it was a little white
Rabbit. She gave him some fresh leaves to nib-
ble, and he went hopping and skipping around
the lodge. Then suddenly he turned into a
handsome young man.
"Oh! Ho! My Grandson!" cried the old
woman with joy. "Sit down and I'll give you
something to eat!"
So the young man sat down, and she fed him.
After that he lived in the lodge, and his grand-
mother named him Manabus.
"Grandmother," he said one day, "why have
we no Fire?"
"Oh, Fire is not for us, my Grandson," said
she. "The only place on this Earth where there
is any Fire is across the lake. There lives greedy
Old-Man-Fire-Keeper, who has all the Fire in
the world."
"Then I'll go and get some," said Manabus.
"Oh, no, my Grandson," cried his grand-
mother. "He will kill you!"
But Manabus teased her until she said "Yes."
"Have kindlings ready, Grandmother," said
he, "to light when I bring the Fire home."
Then off he went. But as he ran over the
threshold he turned into a little white Rabbit
again, and went hopping and skipping away.
By and by he came to the shore of the lake and
saw a broken-down wigwam on the beach. He
lifted the mat that hung at the door, and peeped
280 THE WONDER GARDEN
in. A wretched old woman, all in rags, sat
shivering in the lodge.
"How goes it, Grandma?" cried Manabus,
hopping and skipping to her feet.
"Yes, I'm here, Grandchild," said she. "But
what have you come to me for? "
"I'm looking for Fire, Grandma; have you
any? " asked he.
"No, indeed, I haven't any," answered she.
"Across the lake lives greedy Old-Man-Fire-
Keeper, who has all the Fire in the world."
"Then I'll be off and get some," said Mana-
bus, "and I'll give you a spark when I come
back."
And off he went, hopping and skipping to the
water.
"May I be a Thistledown," said he, "and
may a fair Wind blow me over the water!"
Then he became a Thistledown, and a fair
Wind blew, and blew him over the lake to the
shore on the other side. There he changed into
a little white Rabbit again, and went hopping
and skipping along.
And so he came to a spring, and near it was
Old-Man-Fire-Keeper's lodge, that was big and
covered with mats. Inside were two rooms. In
one sat Old-Man-Fire-Keeper himself, in the
other were his two pretty daughters.
Manabus hid under a stone near the spring.
By and by the elder sister said to the younger: —
LITTLE WHITE RABBIT 281
"Go fetch some fresh water from the spring."
So the younger sister took a bucket, but when
she stooped to fill it at the spring, out jumped the
little white Rabbit at her feet.
"Oh, you cunning little fellow!" she cried,
and threw down her bucket, while Manabus,
hopping and skipping, let her catch him. She
put him in her bosom and ran back to the lodge.
"Look, sister," she cried, "I've caught a little
white Rabbit! See how he shivers with cold!"
"Let us put him by the Fire to get warm,"
said the elder sister.
So they put Manabus down by the Fire.
"Now's my time," thought he. "May a fair
Wind blow open the door, and may the Fire
blaze up!"
Immediately a fair Wind lifted the mat at the
door, and the Fire blazed up, and a spark fell
on Manabus's fur. Then off he went like a flash
through the door, hopping and skipping away.
The girls ran after him.
"This is the way he went," shouted one.
"No, he went this way!" cried the other.
"I tell you, it was this!" said the first.
"My Daughters," called out Old-Man-Fire-
Keeper from his lodge, "why are you quar-
relling so?"
"Our little white Rabbit has run away," said
they.
"No white Rabbit was he," growled Old-Man-
282 THE WONDER GARDEN
Fire-Keeper, "but a man who went off with some
Fire. I heard the spark crack."
As for Manabus, he ran on, hopping and skip-
ping, to the beach.
"May I be a Thistledown," said he, "and
may a fair Wind blow me over the water!"
Then he became a Thistledown, and a fair
Wind blew, and blew him across the lake to the
island. Straight into his grandmother's lodge
he ran.
"Heigh! Ho! Grandmother!" cried he.
"Have you the kindlings ready?"
"Here they are, my Grandson," said she.
So Manabus backed up to the kindlings, and
threw the spark on them. The kindlings burned,
and the Fire blazed up.
Then Manabus took another spark on his fur,
and away he went, hopping and skipping, until
he came to the broken-down wigwam on the
beach, where the wretched old woman sat shiv-
ering alone.
"Grandma, here is the Fire I promised," he
cried. "May you never have to gather fire-
wood; and may the Fire go out when you tell it
to, and burn when you say so."
That is the way the little white Rabbit
brought Fire in those old days. And when the
people told the Fire to go out, it did; and when
they said, "Burn," it blazed up; for it was Magic
Fire. And they never had to gather any firewood.
THE WICKED FAIRIES 283
THE WICKED FAIRIES
Old French Tale
ONCE upon a time, there were two young Fairies
named Carabosse and Follette. They were both
so malicious and wicked that the Fairy Queen
banished them from her Court. So they fell to
earth and wandered around, seeing how much
mischief they could do to mortals.
Now it happened that they arrived at a coun-
try where there were many rich farms, on which
were splendid crops of grain, and large fields of
vegetables, and acres of fruit trees heavily laden.
When Carabosse and Follette saw these they
were filled with spite. They listened to what
the farmers were saying to one another, and
soon learned that the unhappy people were
dissatisfied with the abundance growing on their
land, and that they wished for all the wealth of
the whole world.
Carabosse and Follette laughed mockingly;
and when it was quite dark they touched with
their wands everything that grew.
Instantly all was changed.
The ears of Corn, ripening so beautifully, no
longer waved their yellow tassels, but were
changed into ears studded with precious gems.
Each stalk of grain was changed into a tube of
gold or silver, surmounted by a cluster of Dia-
284 THE WONDER GARDEN
monds. The trees became columns of alabaster
or crystal, with leaves of Emerald and fruits of
Topaz, Rubies, Pearls, and Amethysts. The
grapevines were hung with bunches of Garnets
and Rubies. In fact, every growing thing
was changed into gold, silver, or precious
stones.
When the people woke in the morning and saw
their fields and orchards sparkling with a thou-
sand coloured rays, they shouted with joy and
ran about picking basketfuls of jewels, and break-
ing off branches of alabaster or crystal. They
made themselves collars and girdles of Diamonds,
Rubies, and Pearls; and they plaited gold crowns
for their heads, and embroidered their garments
with every kind of gem.
The Summer passed and Autumn came.
There were no cool, spreading trees to sit under.
There were no delicate blossoms breathing fra-
grance. There were only stiff emerald leaves
and hard precious stones, whose brilliance burned
the eyes.
The farmer's sickle was broken against tubes
of gold and silver, and there was no grain for the
mill to grind into flour. The vines and orchard
trees, instead of being full of ripe Grapes, juicy
Apples, and velvety Peaches, broke beneath tons
of precious gems. No one could sell anything,
for everybody had so much wealth that he needed
no more.
THE WICKED FAIRIES 285
Soon the food was all gone. The children cried
for bread, and there was none.
The malicious Carabosse and Follette, not
content with all this misery they had caused,
flew from brook to brook and fountain to foun-
tain, touching them with their wands. Instantly
the brooks ran molten gold, and the fountains
cast up silver spray.
There was no water. The children cried for
some to drink, and there was none. Every-
body was starving and dying of thirst.
The desperate people, in their agony, threw
off their rich robes embroidered with gems, and
cast away then* golden crowns, and tore off their
collars and girdles of Diamonds, Rubies, and
Pearls.
"Oh, give us bread and water!" they cried.
But there was none.
Now, there was just one poor man in all that
country who was content with his lot. He lived
hi a little cottage surrounded by a small patch of
ground. And because he was contented Cara-
bosse and Follette had not been able to change
anything that was his.
When he heard the children crying from hun-
ger and thirst he ran into his garden and picked
all his fresh fruit and vegetables. These he gave
to the children, and left none for himself.
Immediately the Fairy Queen's voice was
heard crying out: —
286 THE WONDER GARDEN
"Take thy reward!"
A great crashing noise was heard. A rushing
Wind blew away all the emerald leaves and jewel-
fruits. Red and yellow flames played over the
brooks and fountains. The fields of grain shook
violently. And in the twinkling of an eye, green
leaves rustled on the trees, while ripe fruit ap-
peared on the branches. Delicious vegetables
stood in rows in the garden. The fields were
yellow with waving grain. The brooks ran pure
water, and the fountains cast up a cooling spray.
Then the Fairy Queen's voice was heard crying
out: —
"Die, Carabosse! Die, Follette!"
And with a terrible noise the two wicked
young Fairies burst into a thousand bubbles.
The people went nearly mad with joy. The
mill wheels began to turn, grinding flour for
bread. The children, clapping their hands, ran
into the gardens to pick fruit, while the maids
brought home pitchers of cold, fresh water from
the brooks. In fact, everybody had all that he
wanted to eat and drink.
And, every year after that, the farmers had
rich and abundant crops, and were never un-
happy nor discontented again.
THE MAN WHO BROUGHT FIRE 287
THE MAN WHO BROUGHT FIRE
• Retold from Hesiod and Other Sources
IN those golden wonder days, when the earth was
young, the whole world was one beautiful garden.
Men knew no sorrows then, nor did they have to
work, nor were they ever sick. Indeed, there
was nothing to make them unhappy but one thing
— Jupiter had carried off the splendour of the
untiring Fire, and hidden it from men.
Now in that happy garden lived three brothers,
named Atlas, Prometheus, and Epimetheus.
Night and day the mighty Atlas held up the
sky on his head and hands, while his two brothers
lived at ease.
But Prometheus was not content to be idle,
and he pitied mankind because they had no Fire
to work with. So he searched until he found the
splendour of the untiring Fire where Jupiter had
hidden it. He put some in a hollow Fennel-Stalk,
and carried it back to earth.
So he brought Fire again to men, and with it
he brought the cunning of the workman's wis-
dom and Minerva's art of weaving.
Now when Jupiter knew what Prometheus
had done, he was very angry.
"I will punish Prometheus," said he, "and I
will give men a great evil that shall delight their
hearts but bring sorrow to their souls."
288 THE WONDER GARDEN
Then he commanded Vulcan the Smith to
mix water and earth, and to form a maiden fair
and lovely, and with so sweet a voice that she
should enchant every one who heard it.
Vulcan fashioned a living maiden. Very
lovely was she. Her eyes sparkled with joy and
life. In her throat were all the sweet notes of
bird-voices. Venus gave her grace and beauty.
Minerva arrayed her in silver-white robes, and
taught her how to weave delicate silken webs.
The Graces hung gold chains about her slender
neck, while the fair-haired Hours crowned her
with fresh Spring blossoms.
And they called the maiden "Pandora," the
maiden-of-all-gifts.
Now when Pandora was finished, Jupiter com-
manded his winged messenger, Mercury, to take
her at once to Epimetheus, for he knew that the
wise Prometheus would not accept a gift from
his hands.
This Mercury was a tricksy being, always de-
lighting to make mischief. Indeed, from his
very birth he had been tricksy. For he was
born in the morning, at noon he slipped from his
cradle and made a lute of tortoise-shell, and that
same night he stole the Oxen of the Sun; then
running quickly home, he climbed into his cradle
again, before any one knew what he had been
about.
So, now, while he was conducting Pandora
THE MAN WHO BROUGHT FIRE 289
to the garden, he craftily put all sorts of wiles
and naughtiness into her bosom. Then he took
her to Epimetheus, who, as soon as he saw the
beautiful maiden, made her his wife, in spite of
all that Prometheus could say.
And so, alas ! sorrow and misfortune came into
that happy garden! For at Epimetheus' door
stood a closed box, which he had been forbidden
to open. Naughty Pandora was so full of curios-
ity that one day she lifted its lid, and out flew
whole swarms of Woes, Fears, and Sicknesses.
Only Hope remained in the box, for Pandora
closed the lid before Hope could escape. As
for the Woes, Fears, and Sicknesses, they were
scattered over the garden, and blighted every-
thing beautiful. So men were no longer happy.
As for the wise Prometheus, who out of pity
had given Fire to men, Jupiter punished him.
He bound him with chains to a pillar, and sent
an Eagle to feed without ceasing upon his liver.
And as fast as the liver was consumed, it grew
again.
As for men, by the means of Fire, and of the
cunning workman's wisdom and Minerva's art,
they had heat, food, and clothing; and they
wrought in copper, iron, steel, gold, and silver.
But they suffered all the miseries that came into
the world when Pandora opened the box.
290 THE WONDER GARDEN
WHY UNLUCKY IRON KILLS
Finnish Myth from the Kalevala
IN the wonder garden of the World there were
both Iron and Fire.
It happened one day that Iron would a-wander-
ing go to visit his brother Fire. But when Fire
saw him coming, he blazed up in fury and would
have devoured him. So Iron fled far away, and
hid in a bog under the ground, just where the
Swans build their nests and the Eagle watches
over his young.
So Iron lay deep in the moist bog, and there
he kept himself for three years hidden under
crooked tree-trunks and decaying leaves. But,
alas! he could not always escape from his fierce
brother, and he had to come again into the
power of all-devouring Fire, and be forged into
tools and weapons.
And thus it came about: —
Over the bog the great Wolf stalked, and the
growling Bear lumbered over the moor. And
where their broad footprints sunk into the
ground, rusty Iron showed his face.
Umarinen the Cunning Smith came into the
world. In the night, on a coal-heap, was he born,
and in the night he grew up with a hammer in his
hand and a little pair of tongs under his arm. In
the night was he born, and in the morning he
WHY UNLUCKY IRON KILLS 291
was a man and went forth to find a smithy and
a place for his bellows.
He came to the bog; he saw the wet morass,
and there he built him his smithy and set up his
bellows. And there he found rusty Iron showing
his face in the broad footprints of the Wolf and
the Bear.
Then spoke Ilmarinen the Cunning Smith : —
"O unlucky Iron, what has happened to you?
Why do you lie in such an unworthy place, under
the Wolf's heavy paws, in the track of the
Bear?"
But Iron made no answer.
Then Ilmarinen the Cunning Smith whispered
to himself: —
"What if I cast unlucky Iron into the Fire,
into the burning, sparkling furnace?"
Then anguish and despair took hold of Iron
as he heard the terrible name of Fire.
Then spoke again Ilmarinen the Cunning
Smith: —
"Fear not, poor Iron. Fire surely will not
hurt his brother. If you enter Fire's red chamber
you shall come out fine and useful."
So spoke Ilmarinen the Cunning Smith, and
took Iron out of the moist bog, and cast him
into the red-hot furnace. Three days he stirred
the furious flames.
Slowly glowing Iron was melted, and boiled
up in crimson bubbles. While inside the furnace
292 THE WONDER GARDEN
he spread himself like softened dough within
the flames of mighty Fire.
Then cried Iron in his anguish: —
"O Smith, have pity on me! Take me, take
me from these flames! Take me from this burn-
ing glow!"
But Ilmarinen the Cunning Smith answered
gently: —
"If I take you from the furnace, perhaps you
will be hard and evil; perhaps you may hurt man
or murder woman."
Then cried aloud unlucky Iron: —
"Make me into spears and axes. I will fell
trees and break hard stones. I will fetch you
game and fresh fish. Never will I hurt a mortal !
never wound, nor harm, nor murder!"
So Ilmarinen the Cunning Smith took poor
Iron from out the furnace, laid him down upon
the anvil, hammered him till he was welded, and
shaped him into spears and axes and many other
household things.
But unlucky Iron lacked hardness; the axes
all were dull and blunt-edged. Water had not
tempered Iron, nor made the blue Steel flash.
So Ilmarinen the Cunning Smith prepared a
bath of softened water. This he tasted, then he
whispered: —
"Even yet it does not please me. It will not
harden rusty Iron, nor make the blue Steel flash."
And as he spoke, a Bee came flying. High and
WHY UNLUCKY IRON KILLS 293
low it flew on light wings, and flittered above the
anvil.
Then cried Ilmarinen the Cunning Smith: —
"Busy Bee, my nimble comrade, bring me
honey on your light wings ! Go, suck it from the
cups of flowers. It alone will harden Iron, and
make the blue Steel flash!"
Now the Wasp, Malicious One, peeping, peer-
ing from the rafters, heard his words and saw
Iron waiting, saw the bath of water standing.
Quick she darted to the forest. Back she came
with many horrors. On her blue wings bore she
horrors — poison of the deadly Adder, venom
black of hissing Snakes, and the bitter froth of
Worms. These she poured into the bath.
Ilmarinen the Cunning Smith thought that
Busy Bee had flown back laden with the sweetest
honey. Laughing, spoke he: —
"Ah, nimble comrade, all is ready; the bath is
right to harden Iron, and make the blue Steel
flash!"
So in the bath of many poisons straight he
plunged poor hissing Iron, when he had drawn
him from the furnace.
Then, indeed, Iron was made hurtful, deadly
harmful. Then, indeed, blue Steel was angry.
Then, indeed, Iron broke his promise. He
was formed into swords and lances. Forth he
rushed throughout the wide world, hurting, rend-
ing, killing mortals. So he murdered sister,
294 THE WONDER GARDEN
brother, father, mother, biting wounds with his
sharp edges. So he opened springs of blood that
poured out their crimson, foaming tides.
Now you know the beginning of Iron. Now
you know who made him do evil.
Woe to you, unlucky Iron!
Woe to you, deceitful Steel!
So it was in ancient days, in the ancient
wonder garden.
WITH SNOW ELVES IN SNOW HILLS
THE SNOW ELVES
Now you must know that in those early times,
When Autumn days grew pale, there came a troop
Of childlike forms from that cold mountain-top;
With trailing garments, through the air they came,
Or walked the ground with girded loins, and threw
Spangles of silvery Frost upon the grass,
And edged the brooks, with glistening parapets,
And built it crystal bridges, touched the pool
And turned its face to glass, or rising thence,
They shook from their full laps the soft light Snow,
And buried the great Earth, as Autumn Winds
Bury the forest floor with heaps of leaves.
But when the Spring came on, what terror reigned
Among these Little People of the Snow!
To them the Suns warm beams were shafts of Fire,
And the soft South Wind was the wind of death.
Away! away they flew all with pretty scowl,
Upon their childish faces, to the North,
Or scampered upward to the mountain's top.
And there defied their enemy, the Spring;
Skipping and dancing on the frozen peaks,
And moulding little Snowballs in their palms,
And rolling them to crush her flowers below,
Down the steep Snowflelds.
WILLIAM CTJLLEST BRYANT (The Little People of the Snow)
SNOW-BLANCHE
Folktale from Nizhni-Novgorod
So it happened: —
The man's name was Ivan, and his wife's
Marie. They lived in a little house in a
village. They had no children. They were
very lonesome, and their only comfort was to
watch their neighbour's children playing in the
street.
One Winter's day the Snow was lying knee
deep, and some children were playing, while
the two old people watched them from the
window. The little ones were making a Snow-
man. Suddenly Ivan smiled, and said: —
"Wife, let us play, too. Let us make a Snow-
woman."
"Why should we not?" said Marie. "But,
instead, let us make a dear child — a little girl.
She will be nicer than a Snow- Woman!"
"Thou art right!" said Ivan, laughing.
So the two went into their garden, and began
to make a Snow-Doll. First they made a tiny
body, then tiny hands and feet. On the top
of this they placed a ball of Snow, and shaped it
into a head with nose and chin and two holes
for eyes. Then Ivan carefully drew two lines
298 THE WONDER GARDEN
for lips; but scarcely had he finished these when
he felt against his hand a puff of something warm
like breath.
He started back. He looked at the Snow-Doll.
Its eyes were sparkling with life, its lips had
suddenly reddened, and were parted in a sweet
smile.
"Look! Look, Wife!" he cried. "Is it good,
or is it magic?"
The Snow-Child bent its head, and moved its
tiny arms and legs.
"Oh! Ivan!" cried Marie. "God has sent
us a little one at last!"
And rushing toward the Snow-Child she
covered it with kisses. Then the Snow peeled
off, and a little girl sprang out of it and threw
herself into Marie's arms.
"Oh! Snow-Blanche! Snow-Blanche!" cried
Marie with delight as she carried the little one
into the house.
That was a joyful Whiter for Ivan and Marie.
Snow-Blanche grew more and more beautiful
every hour. In a few weeks she had grown so
fast that she appeared like a girl of fifteen in-
stead of a little child.
Her form was tall and slender. Her eyes were
blue like Forget-Me-Nots, her hair was yellow as
gold and flowed to her knees, while her skin was
pearly white and delicately transparent. She
was so sweet and happy that the village girls
SNOW-BLANCHE 299
came every evening to chat with her. They
loved Snow-Blanche dearly.
"You see, Ivan," said Marie over and over
again, "that God has sent us happiness instead
of sorrow!"
"Alas, nothing in this world exists forever!"
answered her husband, shaking his head.
So the Winter passed and the Sun of early
Springtime began to pour its bright rays upon
the earth, melting the Snow and warming the
cold ground. Green grass sprang up; little red,
yellow, and blue flowers showed their heads;
birds sang merrily in the trees, and the village
girls met at Ivan's cottage and sang: —
"Hast thou come, Sweet Spring I
Sweet Spring I Sweet Spring I
New life and joy
To our hearts to bring!"
But Snow-Blanche sat silent and sad.
"What ails thee, dear child?" asked Marie.
"Art thou ill? Why art thou sorrowful and
downcast?"
"Tis nothing. 'Tis nothing, my Mother,"
answered Snow-Blanche.
But when all the Snow was gone, and the Sun
began to shed .warmer rays upon the earth,
Snow-Blanche grew more and more sorrowful.
She sought the shadiest parts of the wood, hiding
under the trees like a shy white Lily. When it
rained she delighted to walk by the margin of the
300 THE WONDER GARDEN
lake where the Weeping Willows trailed their hang-
ing branches in the clear water, and she gathered
up Hailstones as if they were precious Pearls.
Spring passed, and Summer came. The
hot rays of the Sun burned the grass and flowers.
Then Snow-Blanche sat drooping and weeping
all the day long.
One lovely evening the village girls came,
and, taking Snow-Blanche by the hand, ten-
derly coaxed her with them to the wood. There
they linked their arms around her and danced,
and sang, and wreathed garlands for her head.
Then as the Sun was gone down and it was quite
cool, they built a little bonfire of dried leaves.
Snow-Blanche drew apart.
" Come, dear Friend ! " they cried to her merrily.
"Now we are going to run ! Thou must run, too ! "
Clapping their hands, they laughed and skipped
through the fire. Then they heard a deep sigh
behind them. They turned. Snow-Blanche was
gone!
"Where is she? Where is she?" they cried.
"Oh! our sweet Snow-Blanche! Surely she is
hiding for fun!"
And they searched under the bushes and every-
where, but they could not find Jier. They wan-
dered about, calling her name.
"Perhaps she is gone home," they said, so
they went back to the village. But Snow-
Blanche was not there.
THE SNOWBALL HARES 301
That night, and the next day, and for many
days after, the neighbours searched the wood in
vain. Ivan and Marie were in despair. Nothing
could comfort them. Marie wandered among the
trees, calling and calling her darling child's name
and listening for the sound of her sweet voice.
But Snow-Blanche was gone for ever.
And where was she gone? Had a fierce wild
beast devoured her? Ah, no! Snow-Blanche
had run through the flames her friends had
kindled. She had dissolved into a thin vapour,
and, rising through the trees, had mounted into
the transparent evening Sky.
THE SNOWBALL HARES
Aino Myth
ONCE upon a time, the little Sky Children
were playing among the Stars.
"See," they cried, "that soft, white Cloud
beneath us! Let us play on that!"
They folded their wings, and dropped down
upQn the Cloud. But it was not an ordinary
one at all; it was all of soft, white Snow. So
the little Sky Children made Snowballs, and
began to pelt each other.
The balls flew so thick and fast that six of
them rolled over the edge of the Cloud, and fell
down on the earth. And they turned into six
little white Hares running about.
302 THE WONDER GARDEN
But they were naughty Hares, and began to
quarrel. They quarrelled so loudly that Okiku-
rumi, the owner of that country, came running
with a burning stick in his hand.
" Oh, you bad Hares ! Oh, you naughty Hares ! "
cried he. "What are you fighting about? You
who live on this earth, hi this world of human
beings, must be quiet."
Then he beat each of the six Hares with his
burning stick. They all ran away.
And ever since then white Hares have had
black ears, because the Snowball Hares had their
ears scorched by Okikurumi's burning stick.
WHY THE SNOW IS WHITE
Old Legend
WHEN the world was first made, says the Fairy
Tale, everything had a beautiful colour except
the Snow. The Sky was blue, the Clouds golden
and creamy, the trees green, while the flowers
had all the colours of the Rainbow.
But the poor Snow had no colour at all. So it
was very sad and wandered over the earth look-
ing for a colour. First it went to the Red Rose.
"Oh, Rose," it begged, "pray give me some of
your royal red," but the Rose said "No."
Then it asked the Violet, the Buttercup, and
all the other flowers for some of then- colours,
and they said "No."
THE FIRST SNOWDROP CAME 303
But a humble little Snowdrop drooped its
pale head and whispered, "If my whiteness
pleases you, take it all!"
And since that day the grateful Snow has
kept the little Snowdrop safe and warm the
whole Winter through.
HOW THE FIRST SNOWDROP CAME
Legend of Paradise
As Eve sat weeping for lost Paradise, so says
the golden wonder tale, and as she mourned for
the many beautiful flowers that had grown in
the Garden, an Angel flew down to Earth to
comfort her.
Now since the Fall, no green thing had sprung
up, but everywhere lay the thick white Snow,
while the whole World was cold and bleak.
The Angel caught a passing Snowflake, and
gently breathed upon it. It fell to earth, and,
lo ! it was a flake no more, but a folded bud, white
and delicately fragrant.
"This bud," said the Angel, "is a promise that
Summer shall come again, and bring fruits and
flowers to gladden the hearts of all."
The Angel's mission done, away he flew.
"And, lo! where last his wings have swept the Snow,
A quaintly fashioned ring of milk-white Snowdrops blow!"
304 THE WONDER GARDEN
THE GARDEN OF FROST FLOWERS
Retold fr&m William Cullen Bryant
THE PROMISE MADE
IN the olden time, long, long ago, there dwelt on a
mountain-side a cottager, his wife, and his little
girl named Eva. A lovely spot was their home,
for near it was a glen through which dashed a
brook fringed with many sweet-smelling Spring
flowers.
But when Winter came, the little brook was
fringed with other blossoms. Strange white ones
with crystal leaves and stems grew there in the
clear November nights. For when the Winter
Winds blew hard, down from the mountain-top
came a troop of Little People of the Snow. A
beautiful Fairy race they were, with bright locks,
and voices like the sounds of steps on crisp Snow.
With trailing robes they came, some flying
through the air, others tripping lightly across
the icy fields.
They threw spangles of silvery Frost upon the
grass, and edged the brook with glistening para-
pets. They built crystal bridges over the stream,
and, touching the water, turned its face to glass.
Then they shook, from their full laps, so many
Snowflakes that they covered the whole world
with a soft blanket.
Now Eva had often heard about these Little
GARDEN OF FROST FLOWERS 305
People, but she had never seen them. One Mid-
Winter day, when she was twelve years old, she
dressed herself warmly to play in the Snow.
"Do not stay too long," said her mother, as
she wrapped her furry coat around the child and
put on her fur boots, "do not stay too long, for
sharp is the Winter Wind. And go no farther
than the great Linden-Tree on the edge of our
field."
All this Eva promised, and went skipping
from the house. Now she climbed the rounded
snow-swells that felt firm with Frost beneath her
feet, and now she slid down them into the deep
hollows. So she played alone and was happy.
But as she was clambering up a very high drift,
she saw a tiny maiden sitting on the Snow. Lily-
cheeked she was, with flowing flaxen hair and
blue eyes that gleamed like Ice; while her robe
seemed of a more shadowy whiteness than her
cheeks.
When she saw Eva, this tiny creature bounded
to her feet, and cried: —
"Oh, come with me, pretty Friend. I have
watched you often, and know how well you love
the Snow, and how you carve huge-limbed
Snow-men, Lions, and Griffins. Come, let us
ramble over these bright fields. You shall see
what you have never seen before."
So Eva followed her new friend. Together
they slid down drifts and climbed white mounds,
306 THE WONDER GARDEN
until they reached the spot where the great
Linden-Tree stood.
"Here I must stop," said Eva, "for I promised
my mother I would go no farther."
But the little Snow Maiden laughed.
"What!" cried she. "Are you afraid of the
Snow? of the pure Snow? of the innocent Snow?
It has never hurt any living thing. Surely your
mother made you promise that, because she
thought you had no one to guide you. I will
show you the way, and bring you safely home."
By such smooth words Eva was won to break
her promise, and she followed her new playmate.
Over glistening fields they ran5 and down a
steep bank to the foot of a huge Snowdrift or
Hill of Snow. There the Winds had carved a
shelf of driven-snow, that curtained a wide
opening in the hill.
"Look! Look! Let us enter here!" cried the
little creature merrily. " Come, Eva, follow me."
IN THE GARDEN OF FROST FLOWERS
STRAIGHT under the shelf-like curtain Eva and
the little Snow Maiden crept, and walked along
a passage with white walls. Above them in the
vaulted roof were set Snow-Stars that cast a
wintry twilight over all.
Eva moved with awe and could not speak for
wonder; but the little Snow Maiden, laughing
GARDEN OF FROST FLOWERS 307
gayly, tripped lightly on before. Deeper and
deeper they went into the heart of the Hill of
Snow. And now the walls began to widen; and
the vaulted roof rose higher and higher, until it
expanded into a great white dome above their
heads.
Eva looked about her. She stood in a large
white garden, where everything seemed to be
spun out of delicate silent Frost.
At her feet grew snow-white plants with lace-
like leaves and spangled flowers. At her side
Palm-Trees reared their stately white columns
tufted with frosted plumes. Huge Oaks, with
ice-like trunks, waved their transparent branches
in the silent air; while their gnarled roots
seemed anchored deep in glistening banks. Light
sprays of Myrtle, and snowy Roses in bud and
bloom, drooped by the winding walks.
All these things — flowers, leaves, and trees
— seemed delicately wrought from stainless
alabaster. Up the trees ran Jasmine vines
with stalks and leaves as colourless as their
blossoms. All this Eva saw with wonder and
delight.
"Walk softly, dear Friend," said the little
Snow Maiden. "Do not touch the frail creation
round you, nor sweep it with your skirt.
"Now, look up, and behold how beautifully
this Garden of Frost Flowers is lighted. See
those shifting gleams that seem to come and go
308 THE WONDER GARDEN
so gently. They are the Northern Lights that
make beautiful our Winter Palace.
"Here on long cold nights I and my comrades,
the Little People of the Snow, make this garden
lovely. We guide to this place the wandering
Snowflakes, and, piling them up into many quaint
shapes, bid them grow into stately columns,
glittering arches, white trees, and lovely flowers
of Frost.
"But come, now, dear Eva, and I will show
you a far more wonderful sight."
THE DANCE OF THE LITTLE PEOPLE
OF THE SNOW
As she spoke, the little Snow Maiden led her to
a window-pane of transparent ice set in the Snow
wall.
"Look," said she, "but you may not enter in."
Eva looked.
Lo! she saw a glorious glistening palace-hall
from whose lofty roof fell stripes of shimmering
light, rose-coloured, and delicate green, and
tender blue.
This light flowed downward to the floor, en-
veloping in its rainbow hues a joyous multitude
of tiny folk, whirling in a merry dance. Silvery
music sounded from cymbals of transparent Ice
skilfully touched by tiny hands.
Round and round they flew beneath the dome
GARDEN OF FROST FLOWERS 309
of coloured lights, now wheeling and now turning.
Their bright eyes shone under their lily-brows.
Their gauzy scarfs, sparkling like snow-wreaths
in the Sun, floated in the dizzy whirl.
Eva stood entranced in wonder, as all these
Little People of the Snow, dancing and whirling
in the coloured lights, swept past the icy window-
pane.
Long she gazed; and long she listened to the
sweet sounds that thrilled the frosty air. Then
the intense cold around her numbed her limbs,
and she remembered the promise to her mother.
THE PROMISE BROKEN
"ALAS!" she cried, "too long, too long am I
lingering here! Oh, how wickedly I have done
to break my promise! What must they think,
the dear ones at home?"
With hurried step she found the snowy passage
again, and followed it upward to the light;
while the little Snow Maiden ran by her side,
guiding her feet.
When she reached the open air once more, a
bitter blast came rushing from the clear North,
chilling her blood; and she shrank in terror
before it. But the little Snow Maiden, when she
felt the cutting blast, bounded along, uttering
shouts of joy, and skipping from drift to drift.
And she danced around Eva, as the poor child
310 THE WONDER GARDEN
.wearily climbed the slippery mounds of frozen
Snow.
"Ah me!" sighed Eva at last, "Ah me! my
eyes grow heavy. They swim with sleep."
As she spoke, her lids closed, and she sank upon
the ground and slept.
Then near her side sat the little Snow
Maiden, watching her slumber. She saw the
rosy colour fade from Eva's rounded cheeks,
and the child's brow grow white as marble;
while her breath slowly ceased to come and go.
All motionless lay her form; and the little Snow
Maiden strove to waken her, plucking her dress,
and shouting in her ears, but all in vain.
Then suddenly was heard the sound of steps
grating on the Snow. It was Eva's parents
searching for their lost child. When they found
her, lying like a fair marble image in her death-
like sleep, and when they heard from the little
Snow Maiden how she had led Eva into the
Garden of Frost Flowers, their hearts were
wrung with anguish.
They lifted the dear child up, and bore her
home. And though they chafed her limbs and
bathed her brow, she never woke again. The
little maid was dead.
Now came the funeral-day. In a grave dug
in the glen's white side they buried Eva; while
from the rocks and hills around a thousand
slender voices rose, and sighed, and mourned,
GARDEN OF FROST FLOWERS 311
until the echoes, taking up the strains, flung them
far and wide across the icy fields.
From that day the Little People of the Snow
were never seen again. But all during the long
cold, Winter nights, invisible tiny hands wove
around Eva's grave frost-wreaths, and tufts of
silvery rime shaped like flowers one scatters on
a bier.
SECRETS OF THE WHISPERING TREES
SONG
Orpheus with his lute made trees,
And the mountain-tops that freeze,
Bow themselves when he did sing.
To his music, plants and flowers
Ever sprung, as Sun and showers
There had made a lasting Spring.
Everything that heard him play,
Even the billows of the sea,
Hung their heads, and then lay by.
In sweet music is such art,
Killing-Care and Grief -of -Heart
Fall asleep, or hearing die.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
OLD-MAN-WHO-MADE-THE-TREES-
TO-BLOSSOM
Japanese Folktale
ONCE upon a time, an old man and his wife were
working in their garden. Their little Dog sud-
denly sniffed the ground, and began to bark. So
the old woman brought a spade, and the old man
dug and dug. And what was their surprise and de-
light to unearth a great number of gold and silver
coins, and a heap of precious treasure as well.
They carried it into the house, and immediately
gave a part of it to the poor, for they were very
tender-hearted.
Now, there lived next door another old couple,
who were bad-hearted and greedy. When they
saw all the wealth that their good neighbours had
found, they borrowed the little Dog, and dragged
him into their garden.
Immediately he began to sniff and bark. The
old couple dug and dug, and found nothing but
dirt. Then they were so angry and disappointed
that they killed the poor little Dog, and buried
him under a Pine-Tree.
The good old man and woman grieved very
much when they heard that their faithful friend
was dead; and they laid flowers on his grave.
316 THE WONDER GARDEN
That night the Dog appeared to the good old
man in a dream.
"Master," said he, "cut down the tree under
which I am buried. Make a mortar of the wood,
and think of me when you use it."
So the next morning, the old man cut down
the tree and made a mortar. And when he
began to grind Rice in it, every grain turned into
a lump of gold or a precious jewel.
Now, when the greedy old couple heard about
the mortar, they borrowed that also. But when
they began to grind Rice in it, every grain turned
into a lump of dirt. Then they were so angry
that they burned the mortar.
Well, that night the Dog again appeared to
the good old man in a dream, and said: —
"Master, sprinkle the ashes of the mortar
over withered trees. Think of me as you do so,
and the trees will immediately be full of blos-
soms."
The next morning the old man gathered up
the ashes of the mortar, and put them into a
basket. Then he went from village to village,
sprinkling them on withered trees. Immediately
the trees burst into masses of pink and white
blossoms. Every one gave him gifts, so he went
home quite rich.
Then a Prince heard of the magic ashes, and
sent for the good old man, who quickly restored
the Prince's withered trees. After which the
DAUGHTER OF THE LAUREL 317
royal treasurer heaped the good old man with
gifts, so that he went home very rich.
Now, his greedy old neighbours heard about
the ashes, and they scraped together all the ashes
that were left on the ground where they had
burned the mortar, and set off to visit the Prince.
There was just one withered tree left, and the
greedy old man climbed it, and threw the ashes
over its branches. But, lo! the withered limbs
remained just as before, and the ashes fell into
the Prince's eyes and blinded him. Then the
royal servants pulled the greedy old man down
from the tree, and beat him nearly to death;
after which they sent him limping home, as poor
as before.
When the good old man and his wife saw how
ashamed the greedy old couple were, they took
pity on them. They shared their wealth with
them; and the greedy old couple were so thank-
ful that they became very kind-hearted, and
lived good and happy lives ever after.
THE DAUGHTER OF THE LAUREL
Roumanian Legend
"OPEN your branches, beautiful Laurel Tree,
and let me forth. It is the hour when the Even-
ing Star bathes her silver hair in the stream."
So spoke a fair young maiden shut up in the
Laurel. Then the Laurel opened wide her
318 THE WONDER GARDEN
branches, and out the maiden sprang to dance
in the flowery meadow.
"Remember, my daughter," said the Laurel,
"to return before the Sun rises, or you will
dissolve into dew."
"I will remember, beautiful Laurel," cried the
young maiden, "oh, I will remember!" And she
went dancing through the meadow.
The pale Moon shone softly from the Clouds,
the breeze rippled the blossoms and grasses,
while the maiden went flitting down the valley.
Her large eyes reflected the glow of the Stars,
and her long hair floated on the breeze.
Then sang a handsome stranger who was
wandering in the valley : —
" The Star Queen sleeps in her palace of light.
The pale Moon Queen looks down.
Oh ! hand in hand let us dance all night,
Till the cold grey Dawn doth frown!"
So the maiden danced with the stranger. Hand
in hand they danced through the valley while
the Stars slept in their palace of light, and the
Moon looked softly down.
All night long they danced and sang, till the
cold grey Dawn frowned. But still they danced
on, hand in hand.
Then above the mountain-top the Sun began
to rise in a sea of opal lights. And, lo! the hand-
some youth was gone!
The maiden shrieked with fear, and called to
WHITE FLOWERING ALMOND 319
the Stars and the Moon. But they, too, were
gone. She called to the birds singing in the trees,
but they did not know whither the stranger had
fled.
"Open your branches, beautiful Laurel," cried
she, " open your branches ! The night is flown, and
the first rays of the rising Sun are touching the
earth. Open, open, or I shall dissolve into dew! "
"Away, beautiful maiden," answered the
Laurel mournfully. "Alas! the star- wreath of
obedience has fallen from your brow. There is
no longer a place for you here."
Then the Sun rose over the mountain, and the
Daughter of the Laurel dissolved into dew.
WHITE FLOWERING ALMOND
Old Legend
SURELY you have heard the sad, sad tale of little
Princess White Chicory, who stands by the road-
side, patiently watching for her Beloved to re-
turn. Listen, now, to the sad but beautiful tale
of Queen Phyllis and Prince Demophoon.
In those ancient golden times lovely Queen
Phyllis ruled over Thrace. One day a handsome
youth was cast by a storm on to the Thracian
shore. He was young Prince Demophoon of
Athens, returning from the siege of Troy.
When he saw Queen Phyllis, he loved her; and
when she saw the handsome youth, she loved
320 THE WONDER GARDEN
him in return. So they were wedded, and to-
gether ruled happily and joyously over all
Thrace.
But after a while Prince Demophoon wished to
visit his home. He promised to return within a
month, and, bidding good-bye to his sorrowing
Queen, sailed away to Athens.
Month after month went by, but he did not
return. He had forgotten all about his beautiful
bride. Poor Queen Phyllis watched day and
night for him to come back. Then her grief
became so great that she died, and was trans-
formed into a leafless Almond-Tree.
At last Prince Demophoon grew tired of
Athens, and returned to Thrace. When he
found that Queen Phyllis had died of grief, he
threw himself at the foot of the Almond-tree.
He wept bitter tears, embracing its slender trunk
in an agony of repentance.
Then, lo! at his touch, the tree seemed to
tremble with joy. And immediately it burst
into bloom, — into one glorious fragrant mass
of rosy white blossoms.
ORPHEUS WHO MADE THE TREES
TO DANCE
From King Alfred's Boethius (adapted)
IT happened in ancient days that there was a
Harper in the land of Thrace, which was in
TREES MADE TO DANCE 321
Greece. The Harper was inconceivably good.
His name was Orpheus. He had a very excellent
wife, who was called Eurydice.
Then men began to say of the Harper that he
could harp so that the trees danced, and the
stones stirred themselves at his music. And the
wild beasts ran to him and stood as if they were
tame; and if men pursued them, they shunned
them not.
Then men said that the Harper's wife died
and her soul was led to Hades. Then the Harper
became so sorrowful that he could not remain
among other men, but frequented the woods, and
sat on the mountains both night and day, weep-
ing and harping so that the trees danced and
the rivers stood still, and no Hart shunned any
Lion, nor Hare Hound, nor did the cattle know
any hatred or any fear for delight of the music.
Then it seemed to the Harper that nothing in
this world pleased him. Then thought he that
he would seek the King of Hades and try to
soften him with his harp, and entreat him that
he would give him back his wife.
When he came thither there ran toward him a
Dog of Hades whose name was Cerberus. He
had three heads, and began to wag his tail and
play with the Harper because of his harping.
Then there was also a very dreadful gate-keeper
whose name was Charon. He also had three
heads and he was very old.
322 THE WONDER GARDEN
Then began the Harper to beseech him that he
would protect him while he was there, and bring
him thence again safely. This did Charon
promise to him, because he was well pleased with
the unaccustomed sounds.
Then went the Harper farther until he met
the grim ones whom people call the Fates, of
whom they say that they know no respect for
any man, but punish every man according to
his deeds, and of whom they say they control
every man's fortune. Then began he to im-
plore their mercy. Then began they to weep
with him.
Then went he farther, and all the inhabitants
of Hades ran toward him and led him to their
King. And all began to speak with him, and to
beg for that for which he begged.
And the restless wheel which Ixion the King
of the Lapithse was bound to for his guilt, stood
still because of his harping. And Tantalus
the King, who in this world was exceeding greedy,
and whom the same vice of greediness followed
there, became quiet. And the Vulture ceased
so that he tore not the liver of Tityus the King,
which before that tormented him. And all
the punishments of the inhabitants of Hades
were suspended while he harped before the
King.
When he long had harped, then spoke the
King of the inhabitants of Hades, and said : —
ERYSICHTHON THE HUNGRY 323
"Let us give this man his wife, for he has
earned her by his harping."
And the King commanded him that he should
well observe that he never look backward after
departing thence, and said that if he looked
backward he should lose his wife.
But men can with great difficulty, if at all,
restrain love! Well-a-day! What!
Orpheus then led his wife with him till he
came to the boundary of light and darkness.
Then went his wife after him. When he came
forth into the light then looked he behind his
back toward the woman.
Then was she immediately lost to him!
ERYSICHTHON THE HUNGRY
Retold from Callimachus
OXCE upon a time, the most lovely of all gar-
dens on earth was the one that Ceres, the Keeper-
of-All-the-Cornfields-m-the-WTorld, had planted
for herself.
Around it was a hedge so thick that an arrow
could scarcely pass through it. Inside were tall
Pines, graceful Elms, and many orchard trees
laden with yellow Pears, red-cheeked Apples,
and juicy Peaches. In and out among the trees
glided shining brooks, while flowers of every hue
grew on their banks.
In the midst of all this stood a huge Poplar
324 THE WONDER GARDEN
Tree so lofty that its top touched the sky. At
noontime each day the Water-Nymphs and the
Tree-Dryads danced under its spreading boughs,
singing sweetly, for they loved the Poplar more
than any other tree in the garden.
Now in that part of the world there dwelt a
bad, greedy man named Erysichthon. One day
when Ceres was far away tending her wide corn-
fields, he hastened from his house with twenty
servants, all giant men armed with sharp axes.
They rushed into Ceres's garden to cut down her
trees.
They surrounded the huge Poplar and began
to hack its sides. And the Poplar as it felt the
blows trembled and writhed and groaned so
loudly that Ceres heard it.
"Who is cutting down my beautiful trees?"
she cried in anger.
And immediately she tore off her poppy-
wreath, and, changing herself into an old
woman, hurried to the garden.
"My Son," she said to Erysichthon, "why
do you fell these trees that belong to Ceres?
Stay your hand! Send away your men or the
Lady Ceres will be angry and punish you ! "
"Get out of my way, old woman!" exclaimed
Erysichthon, fiercely, "or I'll bury this great
axe in your flesh! These trees shall roof my
new mansion in which I intend to eat and drink
with my friends."
ERYSICHTHON THE HUNGRY 325
And as Erysichthon spoke thus, he struck a
mighty blow against the Poplar's shivering side.
Straightway Ceres became herself. Her form
towered upward so that her poppy-crowned
head seemed to touch the Clouds. Her eyes
flashed with anger, and she brandished a lighted
torch.
Erysichthon's knees shook and he drew back
in terror. His servants rushed from the spot,
leaving their axes behind. But Erysichthon
remained trembling before Ceres.
"Wretch!" cried she. "Get you gone!
Roof with my trees — if you will — your new
mansion! Well, indeed, shall you have need of
it! For often shall you eat and drink therein!
Now get you gone!" And she drove him from
the garden.
From that day on a fierce hunger, burning
and violent, seized Erysichthon. But the more
he ate the hungrier he became. Twenty cooks
prepared each meal. Twelve servants poured
out his wine. But still his thirst and hunger
grew.
He hid himself from his friends, and ate and
drank night and day. He devoured ten thou-
sand viands of every kind, and emptied a hundred
flagons. And so he continued to eat until he had
spent his last money for food and was forced
to sell all that he had to get money to buy more.
But still the raging hunger and the burning
326 THE WONDER GARDEN
thirst consumed him. He pined and wasted
away until only his skin and bones were left.
And then he was forced to sit for the rest of
his life at the crossroads begging for morsels of
bread.
THE WIND IN THE PINE
Japanese Folktale
LONG, long ago, so long that even the White
Crane cannot remember it, in the Land of Fresh
Rice Ears, the Land of the Reed Plains, there
grew a Pine-Tree. It stood within the sound of
the sea. Great it grew, and there was not a
greater in all that land. Its trunk was rosy-red,
and beneath it stretched a brown carpet of fallen
pine-needles.
In the sweet nights of Summer the Fairy Chil-
dren of the Wood came hand in hand in the
moonlight, slipping their dark feet on the moss,
and dancing on the pine-needles, and tossing
back their long green hair. And the Fairy Chil-
dren of the Water came, and the sparkling drops
fell from their finger-tips. The Elfin Children
of the Air rested in the pine-branches and mur-
mured sweet music the livelong night.
And from the sea came the Wonder Children
of the Waves, creeping, creeping up the yellow
sand. And Lovers, wandering on the beach, heard
sweet sighing above them. "Joy of my heart,"
THE WIND IN THE PINE 327
they said one to another, "do you hear the Wind
in the Pine-Tree?"
Then came the Maiden; tall and slender she
was, and most lovely. By day she sat in the
shade of the Pine-Tree plying her wheel or her
shuttle, while her ears listened to the Wind in its
branches. Sometimes her eyes looked over the
sea, and she sat as one who waits and watches.
Often she sang, and her voice was like the singing
of birds. The music of her words, mystic and
sweet, floated out over the waves.
Now concerning the Youth. He dwelt far, far
from the Maiden. By day he worked in the green
rice-fields. He looked upon the valley and the
streams. He gazed into the sky. He saw above
him the great White Crane circling in the blue.
"I hear a call," he said. "I may tarry no
longer! Voice in my heart, I hear and obey!"
And straightway he said farewell to his mother
and father, and to his sisters, brothers, and
friends; and getting into a boat, he sped over
the sea. The White Crane flew behind the boat,
and when the Wind failed, she pushed it forward
with her strong wings.
At last one evening, at the setting of the Sun,
the Youth heard the sound of sweet singing. He
stood erect in his boat, and the White Crane,
beating her wings, guided it to the yellow sand.
And as the Youth sprang out upon the shore, the
words of the singing came mystic and sweet: —
328 THE WONDER GARDEN
" Comes the Lover with a gift for his Maiden ?
Jewels of Jade on a silken string!
Wett-carved jewels!
Well-rounded jewels!
Green as the grass!
All on a silken string.
Oh! the strength of that silken string!"
And so he found the Maiden sitting in the
shade of the Pine-Tree, weaving and singing.
He stood before her, waiting.
"Whence come you?" said she.
"I am come across the sea-path. I am come
from afar."
"And why are you come?" she said.
"O Voice in my heart, it was your voice that
sang!"
"Do you bring me a gift?" she said.
"I bring you the gift, jewels of Jade upon a
silken string."
"Come," she said, and, taking him by the
hand, led him to her father's house.
So they drank "the Three Times Three," and
were wedded. So they lived in sweet tranquillity
for many, many years.
At last the Youth and the Maiden that were,
grew old and white-headed.
"Fair Love," said the old man, "how weary I
am! 'T is sad to be old."
"Say not so, Dear Delight-of-my-Heart,"
answered the old woman, "say not so; the best
of all is to come."
THE WIND IN THE PINE 329
"My Dear," said the old man, "I have a desire
to see the great Pine-Tree once more before I die,
and to listen to the Wind in its branches."
"Come, then," said she.
And she rose and took him by the hand.
Together they wandered on the shore, and sat
on the brown carpet under the Pine-Tree, and
they listened to the Wind in its branches.
The old man closed his eyes, and when he
opened them, behold! his wife was no longer old,
but tall, slender, and lovely! They were again
the Youth and the Maiden! He touched her
hand. Lightly they left the ground. To the
sound of the Wind's music they swayed, they
floated, they rose into the air. They rose higher
and higher. The branches of the Pine-Tree re-
ceived them, and closed about them, and they
were seen no more.
But still in the sweet nights of Summer the
Fairy Children of the Wood come hand in hand
in the moonlight, slipping their dark feet on the
moss, dancing on the pine-needles, and tossing
back their long green hair.
And the Fairy Children of the Water come, and
the sparkling drops fall from their finger-tips.
The Elfin Children of the Air rest in the pine-
branches, murmuring sweet music the livelong
night.
And from the sea come the Wonder Children
of the Waves, creeping, creeping up the yellow
330 THE WONDER GARDEN
sand. And Lovers wandering on the beach hear
sweet singing above them.
"Joy of my heart," they say one to another,
"do you hear the Wind in the Pine-Tree — the
Wind, the Wind in the Pine?"
THE MAPLE LEAF FOR EVER!
Canadian Tale
I AM the oldest of the Maples of the Northland,
and this is what the Wind whispered to me when
the Snow lay white and thick upon the ground,
and the Stars twinkled in the frosty night. This
is what he whispered to me: —
Long, long ago, — long before the Red Men
or White Men lived in the Northland — there
were no Maples. Only dark Cedars, Pines, and
Firs grew in that cold land, for there was never
any Summer.
Then went the Sun complaining to Queen
Nature, saying that the soil of that land was
rough and wild, and that nothing beautiful
would grow there. So Queen Nature called her
Maiden Beauty, and commanded her to hasten
and carry a message to the Northland.
Through the clear, blue sky the Maiden
Beauty flew, bearing in her hand a rod that shot
back the rays of the Sun. She was robed in a
wonderful garment, like a Rainbow twisted and
THE MAPLE LEAF FOR EVER! 331
twined about her. Blue were her eyes, as the
sky from which she came. Her hair shone like
gold. Her skin was like the Lily-Flower, and
her lips like petals of Wild-Roses.
She hovered over the Northland, and bade
the Wind take the message of Queen Nature to
the dark Cedars, the Pines, and the Firs.
"Say to the Queen's dark children, 0 Wind,
that for a few months each year, I shall be with
them. The Sun has been bidden to shine more
warmly, and the sweet-scented flowers to bloom,
and the Summer-birds to fly hither from the
Southland. So shall beautiful Summer come
and dwell among you."
The Wind carried this message to the dark
trees, and they moaned piteously, and cried: —
"Give unto us a bright sister of our kind,
whom the Sun will love and cherish!"
Then the Maiden Beauty took the rod that
she carried, and planted it in the ground.
"I bid you grow great in this land," said she,
"and rule over all your kind. Grow tall by
looking at the Sun. Spread out your branches
and cast a shade to refresh man and beast in the
heat of the day. Let your juice be sweet and
deliciously flavoured to delight the children.
And, ere you drop your leaves for the Winter, I
bid them turn yellow for the sunlight and crimson
for man's blood. For in the far, far-away time
there shall come a White Race to these shores,
332 THE WONDER GARDEN
and you, my bright Child, shall stand to them for
all that is dear — for Home and Country."
So saying, the Maiden Beauty turned, and,
with outstretched arms, flew away through the
clear blue sky.
A hush fell on the Northland. Then a faint
melody was wafted to the wild creatures of the
wood, and to the listening dark trees. Warm
breezes blew over the land, flowers sprang from
the ground, and the air was filled with the sing-
ing of Summer-birds.
The great Sun smiled on all the Northland.
And the rod of the Maiden Beauty waxed strong
and grew into a mighty tree, straight of trunk,
and bending neither to the right nor the left. It
spread wide its canopy of curved leaves, fresh
green in Summer, and crimson, gold, and coloured
like a sunset when the Autumn Winds blew clear.
So passed the years away, and by the mighty
rivers, along the edges of the brooks, and in the
forests and valleys, thousands strong the Maples
stood sentinels in the land.
I am the oldest of the Maples in the North-
land, and this is what the Wind whispered to me
when the Snow lay white and thick on the
ground, and the Stars twinkled in the frosty
night. This is what he whispered.
Grace Channell in The
Canadian Magazine (retold).
DAPHNE 333
DAPHNE
Retold from Ovid
IN ancient times, when Apollo left his Shining
Palace in the Sun, to roam the earth, he met
Cupid, who with bended bow and drawn string
was seeking human beings to wound with the
arrows of love.
"Silly Boy," said Apollo, "what do you with
the warlike bow? Such burden best befits my
shoulders, for did I not slay the fierce Serpent,
the Python, whose baleful breath destroyed all
that came nigh him? Warlike arms are for the
mighty, not for boys like you! Do you carry a
torch with which to kindle love in human hearts,
but no longer lay claim to my weapon, the bow ! "
But Cupid replied in anger: "Let your bow
shoot what it will, Apollo, but my bow shall
shoot you!"
Then Cupid rose up, and beating the air with
his wings, drew two magic arrows from his
quiver. One was of shining gold, and with its
barbed point could he inflict wounds of love.
The other arrow was of dull silver, and its wound
had the power to engender hate.
The silver arrow Cupid let fly into the breast
of Daphne, the daughter of the River-King
Peneus; and forthwith she fled away from the
homes of men, and hunted beasts in the forest.
'334 THE WONDER GARDEN
With the golden arrow Cupid grievously
wounded Apollo, who, fleeing to the woods, saw
there the Nymph Daphne pursuing the Deer,
and straightway he fell in love with her beauty.
Her golden locks hung down upon her neck, her
eyes were like stars, her form was slender and
graceful and clothed in clinging white. Swifter
than the light Wind she flew, and Apollo fol-
lowed after.
"0 Nymph! daughter of Peneus," he cried,
"stay, I entreat you! WTiy do you fly as a
Lamb from the Wolf, as a Deer from the Lion,
or as a Dove with trembling wings flees from
the Eagle! I am no common man! I am no
Shepherd! You know not, rash maid, from
whom you are flying! Jupiter is my sire. Mine
own arrow is unerring; but, alas! Cupid's aim is
truer, for he has made this wound in my heart!
Alas! wretched me! though I am that great one
who discovered the art of healing, yet this love
may not be healed by my herbs or my skill!"
But Daphne stopped not at these words; she
flew from him with timid step. The Winds flut-
tered her garments, the light breezes spread her
flowing locks behind her. Swiftly Apollo drew
near, even as the keen Greyhound draws near to
the frightened Hare he is pursuing.
With trembling limbs Daphne turned to the
river, the home of her father, Peneus. Close be-
hind her was Apollo. She felt his breath on her
DAPHNE 335
hair and his hand on her shoulder. Her strength
was spent, she grew pale, and in faint accents
she implored the river: —
" Oh, save me, my Father, save me from Apollo-
of-the-Golden-Beams ! "
Scarcely had she thus spoken before a heavi-
ness seized her limbs. Her breast was covered
with bark, her hair grew into green leaves and
her arms into branches. Her feet, a moment
before so swift, became rooted to the ground.
And Daphne was no longer a Nymph, but a
green Laurel-Tree.
When Apollo beheld this change he cried out
and embraced the tree, and kissed its leaves.
"Beautiful Daphne," he said, "since you can-
not be my bride, yet shall you be my tree.
Henceforth my hah*, my lyre, and my quiver
shall be adorned with Laurel. Your wreaths
shall be given to conquering chiefs, to winners
of fame and joy; and as my head has never been
shorn of its locks, so shall you wear your green
bay leaves, Winter and Summer — for ever!"
Apollo ceased speaking, and the Laurel bent
its new-made boughs in assent, and its stem
seemed to shake and its leaves to murmur
I gently.
WITH MARVELLOUS FARM THINGS
THE GREEN PLUMES OF MONDAMIN
All around the happy village
Stood the Maize-fields, green and shining,
Waved the green plumes of Mondamin,
Waved his soft and sunny tresses,
Filling all the land with plenty.
'T was the women who in Springtime
Planted the broad fields and fruitful,
Buried in the earth Mondamin.
Summer passed, and Shawondasee
Breathed his sighs o'er all the landscape,
From the Southland sent his ardours,
Wafted kisses warm and tender;
And the Maize-field grew and ripened,
Till it stood in all the splendour
Qf its garments green and yellow,
Of its tassels and its plumage,
And the Maize-ears futt and shining
Gleamed from bursting sheaths of verdure.
Then Nokomis, the old woman,
Spake, and said to Minnehaha,
"Let us gather in the harvest,
Let us wrestle with Mondamin,
Strip him of his plumes and tassels,
Of his garments green and yellow I"
From HENBY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW'S Song of
Hitwatha (condensed)
THE PROUD BUCKWHEAT
OFTEN after a thunderstorm, when one passes a
field of Buckwheat, one sees the grain all black-
ened and singed. It looks as if a fire had passed
over it. Then the farmer says, "The Light-
ning did it!'*
But this is what a Sparrow told me about it.
The Sparrow heard it from an old Willow-Tree
that stood by a buckwheat-field, and stands
there yet. It is quite an old tree, and crippled
from age. It is burst in the middle, and grass
and brambles grow out of its cleft. The tree
leans forward, and its branches hang down to
the ground like long green hair.
This is what the Sparrow told: —
In the fields around the Willow-Tree grain
was growing; not only Rye and Barley, but also
Oats, — yes, the most capital Oats, — which when
ripe looked like many little Canary birds sitting
on a spray. And the Oats and the other grains
in the fields stood there smiling; and the richer
their ears, the lower they bent in pious humility.
But there was also a field of Buckwheat near
the old WTillow-Tree. The Buckwheat did not
bend at all like the other grains, but stood
proudly and stiffly.
"I am as rich as any ear of grain!" said the
340 THE WONDER GARDEN
Buckwheat. "Besides, I am much handsomer!
My flowers ' are as beautiful as the Apple-
blossoms! It is quite a delight for any one to
look at me or mine! Do you know anything
more splendid than we are, you old Willow
Tree?"
And the Willow-Tree nodded his head, just as
if to say, "Yes, that's true enough!"
But the Buckwheat spread itself out from
sheer vanity, and said: "The stupid tree! He 's
so old that the grass grows in his body!"
Now a terrible Storm came on. All the field-
flowers folded their leaves together, and bowed
their heads, while the Storm passed over them.
But the Buckwheat stood erect in its pride.
"Bow your head like us!" said all the flowers.
"I've not. the slightest reason to do so," said
the Buckwheat.
"Bend your head as we do!" cried all the other
grains. "The Storm comes flying. He has wings
that reach from the Clouds to the earth. He '11
beat you to pieces before you can cry for
mercy."
"Yes, but I will not bend," said the Buck-
wheat.
"Shut up your flowers and bow your leaves,"
said the old Willow-Tree. "Don't look up at
the Lightning when the Cloud bursts open.
Even men do not do that. For in the Light-
ning one may see into Heaven; but that dazzles
THE PROUD BUCKWHEAT 341
even men. And what would happen to us if we
dared to do so — we the plants of the field that
are so much less worthy than they!"
"So much less worthy!" cried the Buckwheat.
"Now, I'll look straight up into Heaven!"
And the Buckwheat did so in its pride and
boasting.
It was as if the whole world were on fire, so
bright was the Lightning. And when the Storm
was passed by, the flowers and grains stood in
the still pure air, refreshed by the Rain. But
the Buckwheat was turned coal-black by the
Lightning, and it was like a dead weed upon the
field.
And the old Willow Tree waved its branches
in the Wind, and great drops of water fell from
its green leaves, just as if the tree wept.
And the Sparrows asked: "Why do you weep?
Here everything is so cheerful! See how the
Sun shines. See how the Clouds sail by. Do
you not breathe the scent of flowers and bushes?
Why do you weep, Willow-Tree?"
And the Willow-Tree told them of the pride
of the Buckwheat, of its boasting, and of the
punishment that always follows such sin.
And I who tell you this tale have heard it from
the Sparrows. They told it to me one evening,
when I begged them for a story.
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (adapted)
342 THE WONDER GARDEN
FARMER MYBROW AND THE
FAIRIES
West African Folktale
ONE day, Farmer Mybrow was looking for a
piece of land to make into a farm. He wished to
grow Corn and Yams. He found a fine spot close
to a forest. He set to work at once to prepare
the field by cutting down the weeds and bushes.
Now the forest was the home of some Fairies;
and no sooner had Farmer Mybrow sharpened
his knife and cut down the first bush, than he
heard a little voice say : —
"Who is there, cutting down the bushes?"
Farmer Mybrow was too astonished to speak,
and the little voice said again : —
"Who is there, cutting down the bushes?"
Then he knew that it must be one of the
Fairies, and he answered : —
"I am Mybrow come to prepare a farm for
Corn and Yams."
Fortunately, the Fairies were in great good
humour, and he heard one of them say: —
"Let us help the farmer cut down the bushes!"
And instantly, to his delight, all the bushes and
weeds were rapidly cut down. Then he returned
home well pleased with the day's work, but re-
solved to keep the matter a secret from his wife,
who was very curious and meddlesome.
MYBROW AND THE FAIRIES 343
When the time came to burn the dry brush,
he set off for his farm, hoping that the Fairies
would help him again. He struck the trunk of a
tree as he passed, and he heard the same little
voice say: —
"Who is there, striking a tree?"
And he answered, "I am Mybrow come to
burn the brush."
"Let us help the farmer burn the brush!"
cried the little voice.
And instantly all the dried weeds and brush
were burned, and the field was left clean in less
than no time.
The next day the Fairies helped him again.
For when Farmer Mybrow came to chop up the
stumps for firewood, in a twinkling all the fire-
wood was neatly piled and ready to be carried
home. So it went on from day to day. The
field was dug, sowed, and planted, the Fairies
doing it all.
Still Farmer Mybrow managed to keep things
a secret from his wife, although each time he
left home she begged him to tell her where his
farm lay.
The plants grew tall and strong, and Farmer
Mybrow visited them every day, and rejoiced
over the rich harvest that he should soon have.
One morning, while the Corn and Yams were
yet in their unripe and milky stage, Farmer
Mybrow's wife came to him weeping and wring-
344 THE WONDER GARDEN
ing her hands, and insisted on knowing where
his farm lay, so that she might fetch some fire-
wood from it.
At first he refused to tell her, but when she
began to scream, and to say that she should die
if she did not know where it was, he said : —
"I will tell you, if you will promise not to an-
swer any question that is asked you."
She promised this eagerly, and he told her
where his farm lay. Then she set out immediately
for it.
When she arrived there, she was amazed to
see such wonderful fields of Corn and Yams.
The Corn looked so tempting that she plucked
an ear. Then she heard the little voice say : —
"Who is there, plucking the Corn?"
"Who dares ask me such a question?" she an-
swered angrily. Then, going on farther, she
pulled a Yam.
"Who is there, pulling the Yams?" said the
little voice.
"'Tis I, Farmer Mybrow's wife," she an-
swered. "And I'll break off as much Corn and
pull as many Yams as I choose."
"Let us help the farmer's wife pluck the Corn
and pull the Yams!" cried the little voice.
And instantly all the Corn-Ears and Yams
lay useless on the ground, and the whole
harvest was utterly spoiled, for it was green and
unripe.
THE WITCH CAT 345
When Farmer Mybrow's wife saw this, she
was horrified, and ran home weeping. But she
did not tell her husband what had happened.
The next morning the poor man hurried glee-
fully to the farm to see how his fine crops were
doing. When what did he find but his whole
harvest destroyed and his Corn-Ears and Yams
lying on the ground! He was filled with anger
and dismay.
"Alas!" cried he. "This comes of my own
foolishness, and of my wife's broken promise!
Next year she may weep and rage, but she shall
not draw my secret from me!"
THE WITCH CAT
Scotch Folktale
ONCE upon a time, a hunter was sitting alone
in his hut before a peat fire. Near him his
faithful Dogs lay stretched, resting after a
hard day's run. The Storm howled outside,
and the hunter sat listening to the Rain and
Wind.
Suddenly the latch was lifted, and a Black
Cat, shivering with the cold and wet to the skin,
sprang across the threshold. She stood trembling
in the middle of the floor, while the Dogs rose
up, every hair on their bodies bristling.
"Great Hunter-of-the-Hills ! " cried the Black
346 THE WONDER GARDEN
Cat piteously. "Spare, oh, spare a poor crea-
ture that is so hungry, wet, and cold!"
" Come, sit by the fire," said the hunter, moved
with pity. "Nothing shall harm you."
He then tried to calm the Dogs, and they lay
down again, growling, their hah* still bristling.
But the Black Cat did not move.
"I cannot come near the fire, good hunter,"
she said gently, "unless you first bind your two
furious Hounds with this hair."
And the hunter saw that she held a long black
hair in her mouth. He took it, but instead of
binding the Dogs, he threw it across a beam
near the chimney.
The Black Cat thought that the Dogs were
tied, so she approached the fire, and squatted
down before it, as if to dry herself.
When she had been there only a few minutes,
the hunter saw that she was swelling.
"Bad luck to you, Puss!" he cried. "You
are getting bigger!"
"Yes — yes — " purred the Cat, "as my hairs
dry they stand out."
But she kept on swelling, and swelling, and
swelling.
"More bad luck to you, Puss!" cried the
hunter. "You are as big as my bucket!"
"Yes — yes," snarled the Cat. "When my
skin dries, it expands."
And still she kept on swelling, and swelling,
and swelling.
DOGS HAVE LONG TONGUES 347
"Black death to you, evil beast!" cried the
hunter. "You're as big as the door!"
At that the Black Cat reared her back up
until it touched the ceiling, and screeched: —
"Fasten hair! Fasten!" for she thought the
Dogs were tied.
And the hair fastened itself so tightly around
the beam that it cut it in two. Then up sprang
the Dogs, their eyes rolling and red, and leaped
toward the Cat.
But before they could touch her, she turned
into a Witch, and flew yelling up the chimney.
WHY DOGS HAVE LONG TONGUES
Caddo Tale
LONG, long ago in Red Indian Land, all Dogs
talked just as people do. But they were great
tattlers, and ran about telling everything their
masters did. Of course the masters did not like
this at all, and they scolded them, and even
whipped them. But it was of no use, for they
still ran about tattling.
Now, there was a young brave named Run-
ning Water, who was a great hunter. At first
he would not own a Dog. But he was so lonely
on his hunting trips, that at last he decided that
he would adopt a very young one, and bring it
up so well that it should not talk too much.
So he found a nice bright puppy, only a few
348 THE WONDER GARDEN
days old. He took him home, and brought
him up very well indeed. And when the little
Dog was big enough, and had learned not to
talk too much, he took him out to hunt Rab-
bits. And after that the little Dog always went
with Running Water on his hunting trips.
But this little Dog was worse than all the
other Dogs. They ran around in plain sight
telling what their masters did. But this little
Dog would wait until Running Water was busy
shooting Rabbits, then he would sneak away
to the village, and boast to every one how he
and his master had killed a lot of game. Then
back he would hurry, and creep up very softly
behind Running Water as if he had been there
all the time.
Running Water, however, knew all that the
bad little Dog was doing, and he whipped him,
and scolded him, until he thought that the little
Dog was cured of telling lying tales.
Now, one day Running Water told his mother
to prepare plenty of food, because he was going
to the mountains to hunt game, and would be
gone for a long time.
His mother did so; and he loaded several
Horses with the food and blankets, and started
out, the little Dog leaping and playing by his
side.
They hunted for several weeks, and killed some
big animals, then they set out for home. After
POTATO! POTATO! 349
a day's journey, Running Water missed the little
Dog. He searched for him on all sides, and
even went back to the mountains, but could
not find him.
And what was the little Dog doing? He had
hurried on ahead, just as fast as he could, and
was going about the village boasting to every
one how he and his master had killed hundreds
of Mountain-lions, Bears, Deer, Coyotes, and
so many other animals that he could not name
them all.
Well, when Running Water reached the vil-
lage, and found all the people excited, he was
more angry than ever before.
"Now," said he, "I will surely stop that little
Dog from tattling!"
So he caught the little Dog, whipped him
hard, and, taking hold of his tongue, pulled, and
pulled, and pulled it out very long. Then he
ran a stick across the little Dog's mouth.
And that is why all Dogs have long tongues
and big mouths, and why they are afraid to
talk.
POTATO! POTATO!
New Tale
ONCE there was a little girl. She lived all alone
with her mother in a wee house in the wood.
They were very poor, and did not have much
to eat; but the little girl wanted Potatoes every
350 THE WONDER GARDEN
day for every meal. She liked them fried and
crisp. She liked them mashed with butter and
milk. And, better yet, she liked them baked
brown and sweet in the hot ashes on the hearth.
One day her mother said: "My child, I am
going to town to buy a loaf of bread. Here is a
piece of cheese for your luncheon. There is just
one Potato left on the shelf in the cupboard. Do
not touch it. It is for our supper." Then she
went away.
After she was gone the little girl swept the
kitchen floor, made the bed, and fed the Pigs
and Chickens. Then she felt, oh! so hungry!
And she ate up all the cheese. But it was not
lunch-tune yet.
"When lunch-time really came, the little girl
was so very, very hungry that she did not know
what to do. She thought and thought about the
Potato on the shelf in the cupboard.
"How good it would taste fried!" thought
she. "No! I would rather have it boiled and
mashed! No! No! It would be perfectly de-
licious baked!"
And before she knew what she was doing, she
ran to the cupboard and got the Potato, and
buried it in the hot ashes on the hearth. Then
she sat down to watch it.
By and by she heard "Puff! Puff! Puff!"
and she knew that the Potato was done.
She was just going to dig it out of the ashes
POTATO! POTATO! 351
with a fork, when up jumped the Potato him-
self! He had a mouth, and a nose, and eyes all
round him, and spindle legs and arms. He went
straight up the chimney and was gone.
Well, the little girl was so frightened that she
ran out of the house, and looked up at the
chimney. And there sat the Potato on the roof,
laughing and holding his sides.
She got a ladder and climbed to the roof.
She put out her hand and was just going to
catch him, when — puff! the Potato was gone
again! She looked, and there he was running
along the road in front of the house. She clam-
bered down and hastened after, crying and
crying: —
"Potato! Potato! Come back! Come back!
Or my mother will scold me. Alack! Alack I"
And the Potato called and called : —
"Catch me! Catch me! And carry me back !
And you shall have a Magic Sack!"
He ran fast, but she ran faster. She put out
her hand, and was just going to catch him,
when — puff! the Potato was gone again!
Then she heard him laugh over her head. And
there he sat on the branch of a tree, laughing
and holding his sides.
So she climbed up. She put out her hand and
was just going to catch him, when — puff! the
Potato was gone again!
352 THE WONDER GARDEN
She looked, and there he was running away
through the woods. She clambered down and
hastened after, weeping and weeping: —
"Potato! Potato! Comeback! Comeback!
Or my mother will whip me ! Alack ! Alack ! "
And the Potato called and called: —
"Catch me! Catch me! And carry me back !
And you shall have a Magic Sack!"
And he ran fast; but she ran faster. She put
out her hand, and was just going to catch him,
when — puff! the Potato was gone again.
Then she heard him laugh near her feet. And
there he sat at the bottom of an old dried well,
laughing and holding his sides.
She put out her hand, and caught him.
Then — puff! the Potato was gone again, and
what do you think? The little girl found herself
standing in the door of her own wee house.
She ran into the kitchen, and there was the
Potato — just an ordinary one again, brown and
dirty, — lying on the shelf in the cupboard, and
near it was a Magic Sack filled with new, clean,
pink Potatoes !
And when the little girl's mother came home,
she was delighted to find the Magic Sack. And
though she cooked a great many of the Pota-
toes for supper, she could not empty the sack,
for every time she took one out another came in
its place.
THE DUCK-FEATHER MAN 353
So after that, every day at every meal, the
little girl had all the Potatoes she wanted to
eat. She had them fried and crisp for breakfast.
She had them mashed with butter and milk for
luncheon. And for supper she had them, best
of all, baked brown and sweet in the hot ashes
on the hearth.
THE DUCK-FEATHER MAN
Chinese Tale
ONCE upon a time, in a little village in China,
there lived an honest old farmer called Mr.
Chang. He was so kind-hearted and polite that
he never said a rude thing to anybody. He had
a large flock of Ducks.
Close to his farm lived a good-for-nothing
beggar named Wang. One night Wang felt
hungry, so he rose, and stole Mr. Chang's
biggest Duck, carried it home, and ate it. Then
he went to bed.
In the middle of the night he felt pricklings all
over his body, and when he got up in the morn-
ing he found that he was covered with sharp
duck-feathers that were growing out of his skin
like so many pin-points. He was in great pain
all day, and was ashamed to go out.
That night, when he was asleep, he dreamed
that a man came to him and said : —
"You are being well punished for stealing
354 THE WONDER GARDEN
that Duck. You will have to wear the feathers
until you go to Mr. Chang, and persuade him to
call you a thief."
When Wang woke, he was very much worried,
for he did not wish to tell that he had stolen the
Duck. At last he thought of a way out of it.
He went to Mr. Chang and said: —
"Sir, your Duck was stolen by old Lin who
lives down the road. He does not like to be
called bad names, so if you will go to him and
call him a thief, he will give back the Duck."
"Ha! Ha!" laughed kind Mr. Chang. "I
have no time to waste calling people bad names.
No! No! Let him have my Duck, and be
happy!"
Just then Wang's skin began to smart and
burn. He could feel the sharp feathers growing
longer and longer, so in a terrible fright he fell
on his knees, and confessed how he had stolen
the Duck and eaten it. Then he begged Mr.
Chang to call him a thief.
"Why, my good man," said polite Mr. Chang,
very much shocked, "I have never called any
one a rude name, and I shall certainly not do so
now."
Thereupon poor Wang, in tears, tore open his
coat, and showed all those horrid feathers stick-
ing out of his skin.
And when Mr. Chang saw them, he shouted
in horror: —
THE POTATO-CHOOSING BOY 355
"You are a thief ! You are a thief!"
Immediately the duck-feathers disappeared.
and Wang stood up. :••--•.?.•
He thanked Mr. Chang over and over again;
and you may be sure that he took good care
never to steal or lie again.
THE POTATO-CHOOSING BOY
New Tale
ONCE upon a time, there was a boy who lived
with his sister in a tepee made of vines. They
lived on a large green island. Everywhere grew
plants covered with scarlet flowers or delicious
berries . A tree with big leaves like fans waved over
the tepee, and birds, red, yellow, and blue, sang
among the leaves. Oh, it was a beautiful island !
The brother and sister had no work to do, and
they played all the day long, eating as many
berries as they wished. But the sister was not
happy. Each morning she got up when the Sun
rose, and sang a sad song: —
" There are many berries on the bushes,
There are many birds on our tree,
There are many children in the big World,
But only two in our tepee!"
"Why do you sing so sadly, sister?" asked the
boy.
But she shook her head and wept. And so it
happened every day for months.
356 THE WONDER GARDEN
At last one morning the boy made himself a
bow of yellow wood, and two arrows tipped with
green and blue feathers; then he said: —
"Farewell, sister! I am going out into the
big World to find your lost happiness."
The sister answered: —
"Know that my heart is breaking because
there are no children on our island to play with
me. Each month when the Moon is full I paddle
the canoe down the river to the Big Sea Water,
and visit a beautiful island where there are
many children. I play with them, and they give
me good things to eat. But when I get into my
canoe to come home, the girls laugh at me and
say: 'We will not go to your island because you
have only berries to eat.' So I return home
sorrowful"; and the sister wept again.
Well, the boy comforted her, saying: "I will
go to the Medicine Man of the Black Rock, and
ask him what to do."
So he launched his canoe in the river, and pad-
dled down to the Big Sea Water. Then he
hoisted a tiny red sail, and the Wind blew him,
and blew him, night and day, across the waves.
At last he came to a large black rock standing
out of the water. From its top rose a cloud of
white smoke.
The boy jumped out of his canoe, and sang
a magic song, and a door opened in the rock. He
stepped into a room with black walls. On a
THE POTATO-CHOOSING BOY 357
Magic Deerskin in the middle of the room sat
the old Medicine Man smoking his black pipe,
while from its bowl went up a long line of snow-
white Pigeons, that flew out of a hole in the roof,
and away.
Stepping up to the old Medicine Man, the
boy laid the yellow bow and the green and blue
plumed arrows at his feet. Then the old Man,
smiling, held out his pipe, and the boy took it
and put it to his lips.
He softly breathed his magic song, and smoked
the pipe. Then from its bowl went whirring up
a long line of Bluebirds, Robins, and Thrushes;
singing sweetly they flew out through the hole
in the roof, and away.
Then the old Medicine Man smiled again,
and said: —
"Mighty is your magic song, my Son, for
you have smoked my" black pipe and released my
song-birds. I know what you want. You may
choose a gift for your sister from my Magic
Garden of Plants."
So saying, he rose from his Deerskin, and
struck the wall with his pipe. Immediately the
wall opened, and the boy stepped into a garden
filled with waving green plants.
All their leaves began to rustle, and he heard
little voices crying out around him: "Pick me!"
"Pull me!" "Pluck me!"
He looked carefully about, but he did not know
358 THE WONDER GARDEN
which plant to choose for his sister. Some were
covered with beautiful red flowers, and others
had strange fruits growing on them.
Then a voice at his right foot cried out:
"Pick me! Pick me! I will warm you when
the cold, cold Winter comes!"
And the boy saw near his right foot a large
plant hung with Red Peppers like big scarlet
bells.
He thought to himself: "Peppers will burn my
sister's mouth."
Then a voice at his left foot cried out: "Pluck
me! Pluck me! I will refresh you when the
hot, hot Summer comes!"
And he saw near his left foot a big plant hung
with luscious Tomatoes, smooth and red.
He thought to himself: "Tomatoes will not
strengthen my sister."
Then a voice cried out in front of him: "Pull
me! Pull me! I'm sweet and brown! I'm
mealy and white! Cold in Summer, hot in
Winter! Eat me! Eat me!"
And the boy saw in front of him a homely
plant with tiny white flowers staring up from
its leaves. So he pulled and pulled. The plant
came up, and there on its roots were many brown
balls, each holding a secret.
He thought to himself: "I'll take this home
to my sister."
So the old Medicine Man let him have the
THE POTATO-CHOOSING BOY 359
plant, and he stepped into his canoe. He hoisted
his tiny red sail, and the Wind blew him, and
blew him, night and day, across the waves to
his home.
His sister ran to meet him, and he gave her
the plant. She picked all the brown balls off its
roots, and buried some in the earth with hot
stones.
When she dug them up again, they were
puffy and hot, snow-white inside, and delicious!
Then the boy took the rest of the brown balls
and buried them in the earth without the hot
stones, and left them there. By and by, green
plants grew up, their roots hung with brown
balls.
Then the brother and sister made a great
feast, and asked all the children from the island
in the Big Sea Water. They came, and after
they had tasted the puffy brown balls, they
wished to stay for ever.
And they named the brother "Potato-Choos-
ing-Boy," and so he was called all his life.
And his sister laughed, and sang: —
" There are many berries on the bushes,
There are many birds on our tree,
There are many children on our island,
And iov in our tepee!"
360 THE WONDER GARDEN
THE TURKEY-GIVEN CORN
Navaho Myth
AT the foot of the Encircled Mountain, in the
distant Navaho land, there once dwelt a young
brave named Natinesthani. He was very poor,
for he had gambled away all his goods. And as
he had nothing to eat, he was forced to go to the
mountain to hunt Wood-Rats and Rabbits.
Near him lived his brother and his niece.
They had plenty of food, but they would not
give him any. They were angry because he
had gambled away all that he possessed.
"Let him live on Wood-Rats and Rabbits as
best he can," said his brother.
So things went from bad to worse with Nat-
inesthani. One morning he rose early and said
to himself: —
"My brother disowns me. My niece, whom
I love, will not look at me. I will go away and
never come back. I will go to a land where I
shall be happy."
Then he put on his moccasins made of Yucca-
fibre and grass, and flung over his shoulders an
old blanket woven of Yucca-fibre and Cedar-
bark. After which he went to his niece and
begged her to roast him some Wood-Rats. She
did so, and ground a quantity of meal, which
she put into a bag made of Wood-Rat skins.
THE TURKEY-GIVEN CORN 361
Now the niece had a pet grey Turkey — in
those days all Turkeys had grey feathers — and
it was roosting in a tree near the lodge. And
Natinesthani said to her : —
"Dear Niece, give me your Turkey. I am
going among strangers, and shall be lonely. I
love the bird, and it will remind me of home.
Yet I will not take it from you by force."
"Well, take my Turkey, then," said his
niece, for she really felt sorry for Natinesthani.
So he took the bird and the bag of meal and
the roasted Wood-Rats, and carried them all to
a river called Old Age Water, that flowed near
the Encircled Mountain.
He had no canoe, and he was just going to
chop down a tree to make one, when he heard a
voice close behind him crying: —
"Wu! Hu! Hu! Hu!"
He looked around and saw a stately Chief
standing close to him. On his head was a bon-
net of eagle-plumes tipped with Owl-Feathers.
Over his shoulders hung finely dressed deer-
skins. His face was wonderfully painted, red
and black.
This Chief stood for a moment in silence,
then he shouted: —
"Wu! Hu! Hu! Hu!" and made a sign for
Natinesthani to stand up.
The young man did so, holding his Turkey in
his arms.
362 THE WONDER GARDEN
"My Grandson," asked the Chief, "what are
you doing? Where are you going? "
"I am an outcast," replied Natinesthani. "I
wish to go far away from my people. Take
pity on me! Do not stop me! Let me go down
this river with my Turkey, until I find a land
where I shall be happy."
"No, my Grandson," said the Chief. "You
must not go down Old Age Water alone. You
will be drowned. I am the Talking Magician.
I pity you."
Then the Talking Magician shouted again,
"Wu! Hu! Hu! Hu!" and immediately there
stood beside him a number of strange Beings.
"My People," said he, "cut down a tree!"
Immediately the strange Beings felled a huge
tree.
"Do you, 0 Straight Lightning," said he,
"bore a hole through it!"
Immediately Straight Lightning flashed through
the tree, boring a hole from end to end.
"Do you, O my Winds, make the hole larger!"
Immediately Black Wind, Blue Wind, Yellow
Wind, and White Wind rushed through the
hole and made it larger.
"Do your duty, O my Clouds!"
Immediately a White Cloud wrapped him-
self around Natinesthani, and, lifting him gently,
placed him inside the tree. Then Black Cloud
crept into the hole and stopped up one end,
THE TURKEY-GIVEN CORN 363
while Blue Cloud closed the other. So Natines-
thani was tightly shut in.
Then they launched the tree, and as it floated
down stream, Natinesthani sang softly : —
"0 the beautiful Tree, they felled for me!
0 the beautiful Tree, they bored for me!
0 the beautiful Tree, that carries me
To the Land where I shall happy be!"
But all this time he had forgotten his pet
Turkey. He did not know that the Talking
Magician had taken it from him, and that the
strange Beings were doing many marvellous
things to its wings.
So Natinesthani floated on and on, singing as
he went. The Four Winds guided the tree
gently along until it reached the end of Old Age
Water, where a whirlpool flung it high on land.
Then he crept forth and stood up.
He looked in all directions and could see no
one. He was alone. He sat down to think. He
was sad and desolate. He saw that the pet
Turkey was gone and began to weep.
But just then he heard the gobbling of a
Turkey sounding faintly in the distance. He
listened. It came nearer and nearer, and grew
louder and louder. At last he saw running
toward him his own pet Turkey, with out-
stretched wings, gobbling and gobbling with joy.
It sprang into his arms. It laid its beak against
his face, and caressed his cheeks with its wings.
364 THE WONDER GARDEN
"Welcome! Welcome! My Turkey!" cried
he. "I am sorry for you, that you have fol-
lowed me to this dreary spot! But I thank you
for coming!"
It was now growing dark, so Natinesthani
made a bed of dried leaves, and he and the
Turkey lay down side by side. He spread his
Yucca-fibre blanket over his pet, while the
Turkey stretched one of its wings over its
master. So they slept all night.
Next morning the Turkey sprang up and
began to gobble in a peculiar manner. It ran
before Natinesthani as if it wished him to follow.
He did so, and it led him to a broad green
meadow, through which flowed a clear spark-
ling stream. Here he sat down on the bank,
while the Turkey gambolled joyfully around him.
"My Pet!" said he, "wrhat a fine farm this
would make, if only I had some seed!"
The Turkey gobbled loudly in reply, and ran
around and around. It spread wide its wings
and puffed out its neck. Then it ran to the East
and shook its wings, and out of them dropped
four grains of White Corn. Then it ran to the
South and shook its wings, and out of them
dropped four grains of Blue Corn. It ran to the
West and shook its wings, and out of them
dropped four grains of Yellow Corn; and to the
North it ran and shook out four grains of Red
Corn.
THE TURKEY-GIVEN CORN 365
Then it flew to Natinesthani, and, flapping
its wings violently, shook out Pumpkin seeds,
Muskmelon seeds, Watermelon seeds, and Beans.
"Thank you! Thank you, my Pet!" he cried.
"I hoped that you would give me something!"
Then he hastened and dug up the ground with
a stick, and planted all the seeds. This took
him the entire day. That night he and the
Turkey ate roasted Wood-Rats, and lay down
together again, and slept soundly.
Next morning, as soon as Natinesthani awoke,
he got up and hastened to his farm.
Behold, all the seeds had sprung up in the
night! The Corn was growing taller every
minute, and its leaves broader, while small ears
were sprouting from its sides. The vines were
running fast over the ground. Yellow and white
flowers were peeping from among their leaves,
and little Pumpkins, Melons, and Beans were
forming.
The Turkey puffed out its neck and began to
dance and spread wide its wings. And Nati-
nesthani laughed and sang with joy: —
"Oh, the beautiful Seeds they sent to me!
Ok, the beautiful Seeds they gave to me!
Ok, the beautiful Seeds that sprout for me
In this Land where I shall happy be!"
366 THE WONDER GARDEN
THE PET TURKEY WHOSE FEELINGS
WERE HURT
Navaho Myth
Now after Natinesthani had planted his farm,
and the magic seeds had sprung up in one night,
he built a little lodge of branches for himself
and his pet Turkey. And when it was dark,
before he lay down to sleep, he sat by his fire
looking eastward. He was surprised to see
flames rising in the distance.
Next morning he said to his Turkey : —
"Stay at home, my Pet. I must go and see
who makes that fire."
The Turkey drooped its wings, it felt so badly.
Natinesthani put on his moccasins of Yucca-
fibre and Cedar-bark, and, taking his bow and
arrows, started out. But though he searched
everywhere, he could not find the fire or the
people who made it. When he came home he
said to his Turkey: —
"I must have seen a large Glow-worm!"
The next day he said to his Turkey: —
"Stay at home, my Pet. This time I shall
surely find who makes that fire, or I will never
try again!"
The Turkey swelled out its neck, and drooped
its wings and head, and turned its back, it was
so angry.
PET TURKEY'S FEELINGS HURT 367
Natinesthani started out, and went on and
on, until he came to a shelving rock. He climbed
upon the shelf and saw two handsome lodges.
He felt ashamed of his ragged blanket and
moccasins of Yucca-fibre; nevertheless he ap-
proached the nearest lodge and pushed aside
the curtain. He saw a lovely girl sitting inside.
She was making a fine buckskin shirt trimmed
with shells and fringe.
He entered the lodge and sat down. At that
moment an old man came in.
"My Daughter," said the old man, "why do
you not take my son-in-law's blanket?"
At that poor Natinesthani hung down his
head and blushed, while the girl looked side-
wise at him and smiled.
"My Daughter," said the old man again,
"why do you not spread skins for my son-in-
law to sit upon?"
But the girl only looked sidewise and smiled.
Then the old man took some softly dressed
sheepskins and deerskins and spread them next
the girl.
"My Son-in-law," said he, "why do you not
sit beside your wife?"
Thereat Natinesthani tried to get up, but
sank back in confusion. Then he arose and sat
down by the girl.
After that the old man spread a skin by
Natinesthani's side and sat down. He took
368 THE WONDER GARDEN
some Tobacco from a pouch ornamented with
pictures of the Sun and the Moon, and filled a
long pipe painted with Elk, Deer, and Mountain-
sheep. He lighted his pipe and puffed the smoke
to Earth and to Heaven each twice, and handed
the pipe to Natinesthani, saying: —
"Son-in-law, smoke my Tobacco. It is good."
Now Natinesthani did not know it, but the
Four Winds — Black Wind, Blue Wind, Yellow
Wind, and White Wind — were with him. And
when he took the old man's pipe, Black Wind
whispered in his ear: —
"His Tobacco will kill you! It is bad magic!
They who smoke it never wake again!"
So Natinesthani answered the old man: —
"I ask no one for a smoke. I gather my own
Tobacco. It is here."
And he drew a small pipe from the bag of
Wood-Rat skins and filled it with his own
Tobacco. This he smoked.
The old man closed his eyes and nodded his
head. Then, opening them again, he bade his
daughter make a bed for their guest. She
spread on the floor some finely dressed robes of
Otter and Beaver skin, beautifully ornamented.
Natinesthani lay down on these, and slept all
night.
Next day, Natinesthani said to the girl: —
"My Wife, I have a pet Turkey and a lodge
not far from here. Dress yourself for a journey.
PET TURKEY'S FEELINGS HURT 369
I must go home to-day and take you with
me."
So the girl hurried and dressed herself, and
she gave Natinesthani a pan* of handsome em-
broidered moccasins and the fine buckskin
shirt trimmed with shells and fringe. These he
put on. Then she ran to her father, and said : —
"I go with my husband."
And he replied: —
"It is well; go with him. He has withstood
my magic, and no longer have I any power over
him."
So together they set out, Natinesthani and
his wife. And soon they came to the top of a
little hill, and looked down on the farm in the
meadow. Although the Sun was shining, a
fresh Rain was falling. And over the farm
gleamed a bright Rainbow. Then the Rain
ceased, and Natinesthani led his wife down into
the meadow.
Four times they walked around the farm.
The Cornstalks were standing strong and tall.
The yellow corn-fringe waved in the breeze.
Bluebirds and Yellowbirds sang among the
leaves. And on the vines were Melons green
and gold, and large Pumpkins round and yellow,
while Bean-pods hung there in thick clusters.
Oh, it was a beautiful farm!
"Behold the Corn — our friend!" shouted
Natinesthani with joy. " The food of my people !
370 THE WONDER GARDEN
We will husk it and store it for Winter! We
will shell it and grind it! W'e will roast it or
boil it! We will save seed for the Springtime!
"But come, now, and let us pluck an ear of
each colour. WTe will go to my lodge and feed my
pet Turkey. I love the bird, and it is waiting
for me."
So they gathered four ears of Corn, yellow,
red, white, and blue, and hurried to the lodge.
But, alas! the Turkey did not come running to
meet them. No Turkey was there. All that
they saw were turkey tracks.
Four times the tracks passed around the lodge,
getting farther and farther away. They then
led toward a high mountain in the East.
"I will hunt until I find my pet Turkey," said
Natinesthani, and he left his wife and travelled
eastward. All day he travelled, and the next,
and the next, but still he could not find his
Turkey. On the fourth day he sat down and
wept, saying: —
"O my Pet, it was all my fault! If I had taken
you with me, I should not have lost you!"
Then he rose up mournfully to return to his
lodge, singing a magic song as he went: —
"0 my dear, dear Pet!
You were the black Cloud I
You were the fresh Rain!
You were the soft Mist!
You were the keen Lightning!
You were the bright Rainbow!
PEACH BOY'S RICE-CAKES 371
You were the Corn,
Yellow, white, red, and blue!
The beautiful Bean were you I "
And so Natinesthani came back to his lodge
and found his wife waiting there for him. But
he never saw his pet Turkey again. For gob-
bling, gobbling sadly, it had flown far away.
And before that time the feathers of all Tur-
keys were grey. But since then, in their feathers
are the black Cloud and the soft Mist, the flash
of the Lightning, and the gleani of the Rainbow.
The Rain is in their beards, and the Bean in
their foreheads. And all the colours of the
ripened Corn — yellow, white, red, and blue —
are in every pet Turkey's wings.
PEACH BOY'S RICE-CAKES
Japanese Folktale
IN far away Japan, in old, old times, there was
once a poor woman who had no children.
One day, as she was washing her clothes in
the river, she saw an enormous Peach floating
by. She had never seen such a large Peach! It
was pink and ripe, and she thought what a de-
licious meal it would make. But she had no
stick with which to catch it. However, she re-
membered a magic song that she had learned as
a child, and she sang it softly.
Immediately the Peach came nearer and
372 THE WONDER GARDEN
nearer until it stopped close at her feet. She
picked it up, and, forgetting her washing, ran
home as fast as she could.
She showed it to her husband, and he was as
delighted as she at the thought of such a delicious
meal. He quickly got a sharp knife, and was
just going to cut the Peach in two, when, presto !
it burst open of itself, and the prettiest little
boy tumbled out on the table, and began to
laugh merrily, and to caper around.
"Do not be afraid," cried the little fellow,
running up close to the man. "I'll not hurt
you ! I am your little son, and will care for you
in your old age."
Hearing this, the man and woman could
scarcely contain themselves for joy. Each in
turn picked the child up. They petted and
caressed him, and called him "Peach Boy."
Peach Boy grew very fast, and in a short time
was stronger, handsomer, and larger than any
boy in the village. And when he was fifteen
years old he came to his father and said: —
"I hear that a number of Demons live on a
certain island in the Great Sea. They have
seized many innocent people, whom they either
eat or torture. I wish to rescue these captives
and bring back some of the Demons' treasure to
you. So give me your blessing, and let me
depart."
At first the father would not hear of such a
PEACH BOY'S RICE-CAKES 373
thing, but when he remembered that his son
was no ordinary child, he decided to let him go.
So Peach Boy made ready to start, and when he
was just setting out his mother gave him a bag
full of Rice-Cakes, and bade him take good care
of them, for they would help him safely on his way.
So he started, and at noon sat down by the
roadside to eat a Rice-Cake. But no sooner had
he taken one from the bag than up ran a great
Dog, snarling and showing his teeth.
"Give me a Rice-Cake," yelped the Dog, "or
I'll bite you!"
Peach Boy threw him a cake. And as soon as
the Dog had eaten it, he drooped his tail and
bowed his head and cried : —
"Peach Boy, I am now your servant and will
aid you in anything."
"Follow me, then, to the Isle of Demons,"
said Peach Boy, and he got up and went on his
way. And the Dog followed after.
They had not gone far, when a huge Monkey
leaped from a tree, and stood in the way, rolling
his eyes and gnashing his teeth.
"Give me a Rice-Cake," he howled, "or I'll
tear you!"
Peach Boy threw him a cake. And as soon as
the Monkey had eaten it, he knelt down in the
dust and cried : —
"Peach Boy, I am now your servant, and will
aid you in anything!"
374 THE WONDER GARDEN
"Follow me, then, to the Isle of Demons,'*
said Peach Boy, and he went on his way. And
the Dog and Monkey followed after. But it
was some time before they stopped fighting one
another and became friends.
They proceeded on their journey, and had not
gone far when a bright Pheasant sprang out of a
bush into the way, beating his wings together,
and snapping his beak.
"Give me a Rice-Cake," he hissed, "or I'll
peck you!"
Peach Boy threw him a cake. And as soon as
the Pheasant had eaten it, he folded his wings
humbly, and lowered his neck, and cried: —
"Peach Boy, I am now your servant, and will
aid you in anything."
"Follow me, then, to the Isle of Demons,"
said Peach Boy, and went on his way. The Dog
and the Monkey and the Pheasant followed
after. But it was some tune before they stopped
quarrelling and became friends.
Well, Peach Boy went on and on, followed by
his companions, until he reached the Great Sea.
There a little green boat was waiting for him.
Into it he stepped with the Dog and the Monkey
and the Pheasant. Soon the little boat was
spuming over the blue water.
Away! away! it sped over the waves until
it drew near to the Isle of Demons. Then the
Pheasant sprang out "of the boat, and flew to
AWAY ! AWAY ! IT SPED OVER THE WAVES
PEACH BOY'S RICE-CAKES 375
the Demons' castle, and, alighting on its roof,
told the evil ones that Peach Boy with his bag
of Rice-cakes was coming. But the Demons
only laughed scornfully and shook their shaggy
red heads.
But when Peach Boy landed, with the Dog and
the Monkey, he went straight to the castle and
found a small door that the Demons had for-
gotten to lock. He and his companions slipped
in very quietly, and as soon as the Demons knew
that Peach Boy, with his bag of Rice-Cakes, was
inside, they were terribly frightened.
Peach Boy fought with his sword, the Dog
with his teeth, the Monkey with his hands, and
the Pheasant with his beak; and all the Demons
that they did not kill were so filled with terror
that they fell off the parapets and were dashed
to pieces — all except the Demon King. He
surrendered to Peach Boy, and gave up his
treasures.
Then Peach Boy bound the Demon King
with strong chains, and, going through the
castle, liberated the innocent people who were
imprisoned there. Afterward the Dog, and the
Monkey, and the Pheasant, carrying the treas-
ure between them, and Peach Boy, leading the
Demon King, set out for home.
Once more in the little green boat they
sped over the blue water, and were soon in
Japan. The whole country rejoiced, and the
376 THE WONDER GARDEN
Demon King was imprisoned in a black iron
tower.
As for Peach Boy and his father and mother,
they were now rich and powerful, and lived in
a magnificent castle. With them were their
three friends, — the Dog, the Monkey, and the
Pheasant. And they all ended their days in
plenty and happiness, for they always had as
many Rice-Cakes as they wished to eat.
THE SEVEN CORN MAIDENS
Zufti Myth
IN the days of magic wonders, in the Valley of
the Zimi Ancients, in the town called the Middle
Ant Hill of the World, once dwelt seven Maidens
more beautiful than any others on earth. They
were the guardians of the Corn.
Every year the Zuni tribes, even the People
of the Seed and the People of the Dew, met to-
gether for a feast. Then the Seven Corn Maidens,
in robes as white as Snow, danced before the
people like seven bright Stars.
All the night through, backward and forward,
danced the Maidens, waving their Magic Plume-
Sticks above the growing Corn. And the stalks
grew tall and strong, and the leaves spread like
broad ribbons, while Corn-Ears sprouted from
the sides of the stalks, each sweet and full of
THE SEVEN CORN MAIDENS 377
milk, and wrapped in soft green husks with
yellow tassels.
And when Dawn drew near, the Chief of the
People of the Dew played softly on his magic
flute; and as he did so, the breath of flowers and
the morning-song of birds came on the breeze.
Then a white mist went wreathing upward from
the folds of the Chief's garments, and the Seven
Corn Maidens vanished in the mist.
After that the Chief turned to the People of
the Seed and the People of the Dew, and said: —
"Be ye brothers, ye People! ye People!
Be ye happy, ye People ! ye People !
Behold the seed of all seed-plants is here!
Milk to the young is the Corn-Plant;
Strength to the youth, and flesh to tlie aged!
Gather and eat it. Cherish it true.
Love our bright Maidens,
Who guard well its sweet ears!"
And as he finished speaking, the Sun rose,
and the mothers of the tribes hastened to pluck
the Corn. And some of the ears were blue, some
red, some yellow, some white, and all were sweet
and good.
And the People of the Seed and the People
of the Dew feasted together, and grew stronger
and handsomer and more contented. So it
happened year after year, and the People turned
their hearts to cherishing the Corn.
But as time went on, strange youths, who did
not love the Corn Maidens, visited the tribes.
378 THE WONDER GARDEN
They said that they had seen far lovelier maidens.
For each day at evening, violet rays rolled up-
ward from a cavern under Thunder Mountain;
and through the rays one might see the flutter
of embroidered garments like painted spray, and
the waving of white arms, and the streaming
of soft, dark hair. For in the cavern danced the
Seven Rainbow Sisters, hand in hand.
And the youths said, also, that the beat of
drums and the low, sweet music that came from
the cavern were like the liquid voices of hidden
rivers, and were far more delicious than the
sounds of the magic flute of the Chief of the
Dew People.
So said the stranger youths, and the Seven
Corn Maidens heard then* words and were sad.
And when the time came again for the ripen-
ing of the Corn, the People of the Seed and the
People of the Dew met together, as was their
custom, for the feast. And while they sat wait-
ing for the Seven Corn Maidens to appear, they
heard the low beat of a drum from Thunder
Mountain, and soft music. Then through the
pale light of evening came floating the Seven
Rainbow Sisters themselves, hand in hand and
seven in number, their robes fluttering like
painted spray. While from the tips of their
Plume-Sticks quivered the violet rays.
The Sisters hovered over the heads of the
people, and danced their magic dance. Faster
THE SEVEN CORN MAIDENS 379
and faster they moved, until they flashed like
a circle of rainbow light. And the people shouted
with joy, and held out their hands, and begged
the Sisters to stay with them for ever. But the
violet rays from the Plume-Sticks wreathed
upward and hid the Rainbow Sisters from sight,
while they floated back to the cavern under
Thunder Mountain.
Then the people heard the sweet notes of the
magic flute of the Chief of the Dew People as he
led forth the Corn Maidens to the grain-field.
But the Maidens moved silently. With pale,
sad faces they passed among the people and
laid down their Magic Plume-Sticks. Then,
sobbing, they melted into a white mist, and
drifted away to the South Summer-Land.
And when the Seven Corn Maidens were gone,
a cold Wind from Thunder Mountain swept over
the plain. The Corn-Stalks drooped, and the
ears were blighted. The grain-fields grew bleak
and barren.
The people wept, and hunger came among
them. Then said they, one to the other: —
"We must send messengers after our beloved
Maidens, and entreat them to come from their
hiding place, so that the ears of Corn, that nour-
ish all flesh, may ripen again."
First they sent out the Eagle, strong and swift;
and he searched the rocks and mountains, but
saw no trace of the Corn Maidens.
380 THE WONDER GARDEN
After that they sent out the Falcon, keen of
eye; and he searched the cliff-shadows and hedge-
rows, but found not the Corn Maidens.
The croaking Raven flew to seek them; and
though he searched meadows and woods, he
found them not.
Then the starving people, in their anguish,
called to the Chief of the Dew People to save
them.
In one hand he took the Magic Plume-Sticks
of the Seven Corn Maidens, and in the other his
flute. Swiftly he passed over the plain toward
the South Summer-Land. And as he went
farther southward, he planted the Magic Plume-
Sticks in the ground, and, bending low, watched
them. Soon their soft, downy feathers began to
stir as if blown by the breath of a creature.
Backward and forward, northward and south-
ward, they swayed to and fro.
"Ha!" sighed the Chief, "'tis the breath
of my Maidens in the South Summer-Land; the
plumes stir to their breathings! I will hasten
on, and scatter the bright beads of my Dew as I
pass through the land. Soon again northward
shall I fetch my beautiful Maidens!"
So said he, and hastened forward, scattering
the bright Dew and playing on his magic flute.
And there, at last, in the warm Summer-Land,
he found his Corn Maidens. He greeted them
with a smile and a touch of his hand. And the
LEGEND OF THE CORN 381
white mists went wreathing upward from the
folds of his garments. The wreaths of mist en-
veloped the forms of the Maidens, and, lifting
them gently, wafted them northward.
And all the little birds of the South Summer-
Land came flocking after, and Butterflies fluttered
like bright flowers above the Maidens' heads.
So came they all again to the Middle Ant Hill
of the World.
Then were the starving people happy, and
met for the feast. And the Seven Corn Maidens,
in robes as white as snow, again danced in
the corn-fields, and waved their magic Plume-
Sticks above the growing Corn.
And so the People of the Seed and the People
of the Dew once more turned their hearts to
cherishing the Corn; and they fed their children
with its sweet milk. And the Corn-Ears gave
strength to the youth and flesh to the aged.
Thus it happened in the days of magic won-
ders, in the Valley of the Zuni Ancients, in the
Middle Ant Hill of the World.
So shortens my story.
LEGEND OF THE CORN
Iroquois Legend
LISTEN to the Iroquois Grandmother: —
Long, long ago, there lived a young brave who
loved an Iroquois maiden, and she promised to
382 THE WONDER GARDEN
be his bride. She was very beautiful. Her hair
was not black like the hair of other Indian girls,
but silken and golden. She had many admirers,
and the young brave feared lest one of them
might carry her off. So, to protect her, he slept
at night before her lodge in the forest.
One night he was awakened by the sounds of
light footfalls and the rustling of branches and
leaves. He sprang to his feet, and saw the
maiden herself gliding all alone from the door of
her lodge. And though her eyes were wide open
and her hands outstretched, she could see noth-
ing, for she was still in deep slumber, and was
walking in a dream.
Swiftly she moved among the trees and van-
ished into the forest. The young man hastened
after her. Faster and faster she sped before him,
as if fleeing for her life. And on and on he fol-
lowed, through tangled thicket and along forest
paths.
Panting, at last he overtook her. He could
hear her quick breathing and the beating of her
heart. He sprang forward and clasped her
gently in his arms.
Lo! her form grew stiff and straight. Green
leaves sprouted from her sides. She raised her
hands to her head, and they were changed into
ears of Corn. And where her hands had touched
her hair, grew long, silken, golden threads.
And the young man no longer clasped a
RAM WITH GOLDEN FLEECE 383
maiden, but a tall plant, such as he had never
seen before. He held in his arms the Maize —
the Indian Corn!
WILLIAM W. CANFIELD (adapted)
THE RAM WITH THE GOLDEN FLEECE
Retold from Apollodorus, Ovid, and Other Sources
ONCE upon a time, there was a King of Bceotia
who had two children, a boy and a girl. Phrixus,
the boy, was very brave and handsome, while
little Helle was gentle and beautiful.
But though they lived in a fine palace and
wore silken robes, the children were not happy;
for their father had sent away their dear mother
Nephele, and they had a stepmother named Ino.
Now Ino was a wicked woman, and was
jealous of Phrixus because she wished her own
son to inherit the Kingdom. So she cast a
blight on all the crops of the land, and told the
King that unless Phrixus and Helle were killed
there would be no Corn or bread for the people.
Indeed, she even said that a Wisewoman in the
cave of Apollo-of-the-Golden-Beams at Delphi
had declared, unless Phrixus and Helle were sacri-
ficed, that the Corn would never grow again.
So the King gave orders that the children
should be led to their death.
Thereupon the servants of the wicked Ino took
384 THE WONDER GARDEN
poor Phrixus and Helle, and put their finest
robes on them, and crowned their heads with
branches, then led them to an altar where a priest
stood with uplifted knife.
Now, Nephele, their dear mother, had not
really left them, but was watching over them from
the sky, where she floated about wrapped in a
soft white Cloud.
When she saw her children about to be killed
she spoke to a Ram with Golden Fleece who
stood by her side: —
"Go quickly," said she, "and save my little
ones."
The Ram, spreading his glittering wings, flew
down to earth, and, standing before Phrixus and
Helle, bowed his head and spoke with a human
voice.
"Mount my back," said he, "and I will carry
you to a place of safety."
The children sprang on his back, and held on
to his horns; then the Ram, spreading his wings,
soared up into the blue sky.
The priest and people shouted with wonder,
while the wicked stepmother trembled from fear.
But the Ram with glittering wings, flew rapidly
away and vanished in the distance.
Over land and sea he flew, until he came to a
wide body of water, rolling black and angry from
shore to shore. Phrixus held on tightly by one
of the horns; but poor little Helle looked down
RAM WITH GOLDEN FLEECE 385
at the waves, and, growing giddy and faint,
loosened her hold and fell.
In vain Phrixus stretched out both hands to
save her, and almost fell himself; the Ram swept
onward, carrying him far away, while he was
still weeping, and calling his sister's name.
Across the sea, the Ram hastened to the land
of Colchis, where King JSetes welcomed Phrixus
gladly, and gave him his beautiful daughter in
marriage. There the Ram died, and Phrixus
presented his Golden Fleece to the King, who
nailed it on an Oak in the midst of a grove.
As for little Helle, her brother mourned for
her; but he did not know that she was become the
bride of the King of the sea into which she was
fallen. And ever since that day the sea has
been called by her name — the Hellespont, or
Helle's Sea.
HOW JASON BROUGHT HOME THE
GOLDEN FLEECE
Now, in those golden wonder days, Pelias ruled
over lolcos, for he had dethroned its rightful King.
He had even tried to slay the King's little
son; but the baby had mysteriously vanished.
After this King Pelias lived in continual ter-
ror, because an Oracle had declared that a man
wearing one sandal should bring him death and
destruction.
386 THE WONDER GARDEN
Now one day, when the King was holding a
feast for the people, he saw in the crowd a hand-
some youth dressed in a Leopard's skin and
holding two spears. He wore but one sandal;
his other foot was bare.
In haste, the King summoned him, and said : —
"Young Man, I have one question to ask you.
Answer it wisely. If you had the power, and
an Oracle had declared that a certain one of
your subjects should be your death, what would
you do to that man?"
"I would send him to fetch home the Golden
Fleece from Colchis," replied the youth.
Scarcely were these words out of his mouth
before King Pelias shouted : —
"Go, then, for you are that man! Make haste
to depart, and bring back to me the Golden
Fleece!"
So the youth was snared in his own words; for
the famous Fleece was nailed to an Oak in a
dangerous Grove, and was guarded night and
day by a sleepless Dragon.
"I will fetch it," replied the youth. "But
know that I am Jason, the rightful heir to this
land. I was the babe whom you sought to slay.
Yesterday I left my Schoolmaster Chiron the
Centaur, to claim my rights from you. On my
way hither I lost one sandal in a stream, there-
fore am I barefooted. Now will I depart on my
quest, but when I return in triumph bearing the
RAM WITH GOLDEN FLEECE 387
Golden Fleece, I will demand from you the
Kingdom of my fathers."
So saying Jason made haste to prepare for the
voyage. Argus, the son of Phrixus, built for him
a wonderful ship, in the prow of which Minerva-
the- Wise-One set a piece of the Talking Oak of
Dodona; which was a very wise Oak indeed, that
gave always good counsel. Fifty oars had the
Ship, and she was manned by fifty heroes. For
with Jason sailed Hercules the Mighty, and his
lad the beautiful Hylas; Orpheus the sweet
singer went too; also the Twin Sons of Boreas
the North Wind, — handsome youths they were,
with long flowing yellow beards and hair, and
wings that made a rushing noise like their father's.
Fifty heroes went, all eager for adventures.
So the good Ship Argo, as it was called, set
sail. While the joyful heroes grasped the oars,
Orpheus struck his lyre, and the stroke of the
oars kept such perfect time to his delightful
harmony, that the ship seemed to speed magically
along.
Many were the adventures of the heroes on
their way to Colchis. They slew six-armed
Giants, and the Twin Sons of Boreas saved King
Phineas of Thrace from the Harpies.
Fearful were the foul Harpy-sisters, winged
monsters, who swooped down on King Phineas's
table, snatching his food, and making everything
they touched so filthy and vile-smelling that
388 THE WONDER GARDEN
the King could not eat at all. So he was starving
to death. Then the Twin Sons of Boreas, rising
on their yellow wings, drew their swords and
chased the Harpies far across the ocean; and the
evil ones never returned again.
Many other exciting adventures the heroes
had ere they reached the shore of Colchis. At
last they landed in that country; and Jason,
presenting himself before King ^Eetes' throne,
demanded the Golden Fleece,
"That will I give you," replied King ^Eetes,
" if you will first tame the two brass-footed, brass-
throated, fire-breathing Bulls that Vulcan gave
to me. These you must yoke, and with them
plough a field. Then you must sow some
Dragon's teeth that I have."
All this Jason agreed to do, although he did
not knowT how he was going to accomplish such
a terrible task.
Now near King Metes' throne his daughter
Medea, an evil Enchantress, was standing.
And when she saw how handsome Jason was,
she loved him. So she sought him out secretly,
and offered to aid him if he would wed her. This
he promised to do, if she would gain the Golden
Fleece for him.
That night by her magic arts he tamed the
two brass-footed, brass-throated, flame-breath-
ing bulls, and yoking them, ploughed a field and
sowed the Dragon's teeth.
THE ENCHANTED SWINE 389
But King JSetes, when he heard what he had
done, still refused to give him the Golden Fleece
as he had promised. Instead he plotted to kill
Jason and his comrades.
So when darkness came again, Medea cast
the Dragon, that guarded the tree, into an en-
chanted sleep. Then she and Jason, seizing the
Fleece, fled with it to the ship, and sailed away to
lolcos.
Thus after many adventures the fifty heroes
returned in triumph from Colchis, bearing the
Golden Fleece of the Magic Ram that had saved
Phrixus and Helle from a cruel death.
But, alas for Jason! He wedded the evil En-
chantress Medea; and she wrought destruction
and death not only for King Peleas but for
Jason and all his house as well.
THE ENCHANTED SWINE
Retold from Homer
IT was in those days of yore, when the Golden
Apple of Discord caused so much mischief in the
world, and when the Shepherd-lad, Prince Paris,
brought destruction on his native city of Troy,
that the wise Ulysses set sail from the Trojan
shore with all his men, to return to his Kingdom
of sunny Ithaca.
Many and fearful were their adventures ere
390 THE WONDER GARDEN
they reached a strangely wooded isle, where
noisome herbs grew in the dark shade of gloomy
trees. For two days and nights they rested on
the shore, and, on the third morning when
Aurora, the rosy-fingered Child of Dawn, threw
open the Gates of Day, Ulysses arose, and climbed
a height to view the isle.
In a deep vale he saw a thicket, above which
rose the towers and spires of a noble palace-hall,
from which smoke curled upward toward the sky.
Returning to the ship, he pondered on the wisest
course.
The next morning he called his men, and
said : —
"My friends, amid your great sufferings listen
to my words. We do not know the East from
the West, nor what lies toward the rising or the
setting Sun. We are lost on this isle, and sur-
rounded by the boundless deep. Yesterday, I
looked from a height, and saw smoke ascending
from a thicket. Let now some of us go thither
and inquire our way."
At his words the men remembered their fear-
ful adventures with the One-Eyed Cyclops
Polyphemus, who had eaten some of their com-
rades, cracking them like nuts, and with the
giant Laestrigons, who had hurled great stones
upon them. So the men's hearts sank with fear
at Ulysses' words. They wept aloud.
But tears were of no avail to that unhappy
THE ENCHANTED SWINE 391
band! For the wise Ulysses, casting lots, sent
the men thus chosen to the palace-hall; and the
hero Eurylochus led them thither. Still weeping,
they hastened on their way.
Soon they saw a stately palace-hall of hewn
stone. Around it was a spacious park of noble
trees. But as they drew nearer, there rose from
the ground, Mountain-Lions and Wolves. With
bristling hairs and rolling eyes they cringed,
and in silence, with padded feet, circled round the
walls. Then wagging their tails, and standing
on then* hind feet, they fawned upon the men
like great Dogs well-fed by their master's hand.
The men, in fear, stepped beneath the portico,
and heard from within the whir and clack of
loom, while honeyed words of sweetest singing
floated past their ears. Then through the half-
open door they saw, within the hall, a bright-
haired woman richly clad, who was singing
sweetly while she threw the shuttle back and
forth through a web as delicate and beautiful as
if woven by Minerva's own hand.
She was Circe the Enchantress, the bright-
haired daughter of the Sun, wily and watchful,
and, though they knew it not, waiting for them.
They called aloud. Forth she came, and throw-
ing the shining doors apart, bade them enter.
All followed her except Eurylochus, who stood
without, for he suspected guile.
She led them in, and seated them on thrones.
392 THE WONDER GARDEN
Then mingling a drink of wine, cheese, fresh
honey, and yellow meal, she poured into it a
magic potion made of deadly herbs, and handed
golden goblets full of the baleful liquor to the
men. They drank.
She touched them with her wand, and cried : —
"Take your own forms, ye worse than beasts!"
And straight the men fell from their thrones
upon their hands and knees. Their faces be-
came snouts with pricking ears and reddish eyes.
Bristles sprouted from their bodies. Their feet and
hands were cloven hoofs. They were no longer
men, but grunting Swine. Yet they had kept
their human minds, and wept from terror and
shame.
"Hence to your sties!" cried Circe, and drove
them forth and locked them up in pens. Then
flinging some Acorns to them, she went back into
her hall.
As for Eurylochus, when he had waited long
and the men did not return, he fled in horror
to the ship.
Then when the wise Ulysses learned that the
men had not come back, he slung upon his
shoulder his silver-studded sword — a huge
blade of brass — and his bow with it. He sum-
moned Eurylochus to lead the way, but the
terrified man clasped Ulysses' knees with both
hands, and cried : —
"O take me not with you! Force me not to
THE ENCHANTED SWINE 393
go! Great Hero, leave me by the ship! You
will never return, that I know! Nor can you
ever deliver our comrades from their fate!"
"Stay here, then, Eurylochus," replied Ulysses.
"Stay here by the ship, eating and drinking
in comfort. I shall surely go!"
So he spoke, and left the ship. Soon he drew
near to Circe's magic palace-hall. When, lo! a
youth met him on the way, a sprightly youth,
carrying in one hand a golden staff, and in the
other a plant with black roots and a blossom as
white as milk. So sprightly was the youth that
he moved across the ground without walking, for
little wings were on his cap and heels.
He took Ulysses' hand. "Rash mortal!"
said he. "Why do you wander here alone?
Your comrades are shut up like Swine in treach-
erous Circe's sties. A like fate awaits you, if
you go thither without my aid. But that you
may be safe from all mischief, take this flower,
and bear it to the palace-hall of Circe. It will
protect you by its magic virtue. She will bring
you a goblet filled with mingled liquor. Drink
it; it cannot harm you. When she smites you
with her wand, draw your sword and rush upon
her. Do not spare her, unless she swears to do
you no hurt, and to restore your friends to their
own shapes."
So spoke the winged youth, and placed the
flower in Ulysses' hand.
394 THE WONDER GARDEN
"Take it," he said, "it is Moly, and blooms
only for the Dwellers-on-Mount-Olympus. I am
Mercury, the messenger of Jupiter sent from his
Shining Palace to aid your quest."
Then back through the woody isle Mercury
hastened, and flew away to Mount Olympus.
Ulysses took his way to Circe's palace-hall.
With fast beating heart he pressed through the
throng of fawning beasts, and stepped beneath
her portico. He called aloud. Circe heard his
voice, and flung apart the shining doors.
With voice so honey-sweet and with winning
smile, she bade him enter. She seated him upon
a silver-studded throne, and quickly mingled a
magic draught. And pouring it into a golden
chalice she presented it to him. He drank the
liquor off.
Then Circe, rising, smote him with her wand,
and cried : —
"Go to your sty, and wallow with your fellows!"
Ulysses drew his sword and rushed upon her,
as if to take her life. She shrieked and fell upon
her knees. With uplifted hands she pleaded
piteously: —
* * Who are you ? From what great race are you ?
Wonders! You have drunk my magic potion,
and it harms you not! No mortal being has
ever done so before! Are you then that wise
Ulysses come from Troy? Mercury — he of the
golden staff — foretold to me that Ulysses should
THE ENCHANTED SWINE 395
outwit me! Spare me now! spare me! And
henceforth I will do you no harm!"
"O Circe," replied Ulysses, "do you ask me to
deal gently with you, when here in your own
palace-hall you have transformed my friends
into Swine? Swear to me that henceforth you
will not only do me no injury, but will change
my friends back to men."
Trembling she swore as he desired. Then she
arose and prepared a banquet for him. The
Nymphs from fountains, groves, and streams,
who waited on her, spread two thrones with
gorgeous covers, and above them suspended
canopies of richest purple. They set silver
tables before the thrones, laden with golden
plates and cups, and rich wine in silver bowls.
Around Ulysses' manly form they flung a
princely cloak, and placed a foot-stool for his
feet. Then came a fair-haired Nymph with a
golden ewer, and poured pure -water on his hands
in a silver laver. Next they placed delicious
viands upon the tables, and bade him eat and
drink.
But the banquet did not please him, and he
sat wrapped in gloomy thoughts.
"Why, O Ulysses," said Circe, "do you sit
with dark thoughts gnawing at your heart? Why
do you not eat and drink?"
Then replied Ulysses: —
"Think you that a good man and true would
396 THE WONDER GARDEN
be so faithless as to feast while his friends were
miserable captives close at hand? If you wish
me to enjoy this banquet, first set my comrades
free."
Then Circe took her wand, and quickly led the
way into the sty, and drove forth the grunting
herd of Swine. They ranged themselves before
her in a row. She threw upon them a magic
drug, and they rose upon their hind legs. Their
bristles fell away; their snouts grew shorter.
And they were transformed into their own
shapes again, only handsomer and younger than
before.
They knew Ulysses, and crowded to his side.
They pressed his hands with tears and sobs of
joy. Even Circe was moved with pity, and bade
them come as guests into her hall. She robed them
in fresh tunics and fair cloaks. And all day, until
the setting of the Sun, they feasted. When the
Sun went down, they slept on sumptuous couches
in her hall.
And when at last Ulysses and his men left
that enchanted isle, Circe, the bright-haired
daughter of the Sun, helped them with good
counsel on their way. So once more they sailed
across the boundless deep, to search for sunny
Ithaca.
THE WINGED HORSE 397
THE WINGED HORSE
Retold from Pindar and Other Sources
IN days of yore there dwelt a young and hand-
some King in Corinth, named Bellerophon. He
was about to set out on a strange adventure.
He had vowed to kill the Chimaera, a terrible
monster that was ravaging the land of Lycia.
She had three heads, — one of a Lion, one of a
Goat, and the third of a Serpent. The front part
of her body was like a Lion, the middle like a
Goat, and the hinderpart like a Dragon. Her
three heads breathed out fire and smoke. Such
was the terrible monster that Bellerophon had
sworn to kill.
One night while he lay on his couch, consider-
ing with what weapon he should slay the Chi-
maera, he fell asleep. He dreamed that a maiden
stood beside him. Very tall and stately she was,
and her large gleaming eyes regarded him stead-
fastly. A helmet covered her ringlets, and she
bore on her arm the shadowy aegis — the shield of
Minerva the Wise One — in the centre of which
was engraved the snaky head of Medusa. In
her right hand she carried a golden bridle.
"Bellerophon," said she, with sweet, calm
accents, "arise, go to the Spring of Pirene. Take
with you this magic bridle made of soul-sub-
duing gold, and with it tame Pegasus, the Winged
398 THE WONDER GARDEN
Horse of the Muses. At dawn he will come flying
from the Fountain of Hippocrene on Mount
Helicon, and you shall find him drinking from
the pure water of Pirene. With his aid alone
may you slay the Chimsera."
Then Bellerophon awoke, and, though the
maiden had vanished, he found the golden bridle
lying by his side.
Hastily he arose and put on his brazen armor.
Taking his bow he set out for the Spring of
Pirene, which flowed cold and exceedingly clear
from the side of a lofty hill near Corinth.
Quickly Bellerophon climbed to the spring,
and approached it. Softly its waters fell, with
musical murmur, into a beautiful marble basin,
edged round with flowers and grasses. On its
margin stood the Winged Horse drinking the pure
water, while his silvery wings waved in the air,
and his quivering hoofs seemed scarcely to press
the sod.
A very wonderful horse was this Pegasus, for
he was born from the blood that flowed from
the neck of the Gorgon Medusa when Perseus
cut off her head. Straight Pegasus had flown up
from her blood, and had winged his way to
Mount Helicon. There, with one stroke of his
delicate hoof, he had cleaved the ground, and a
fountain called Hippocrene — as bright and
pure as the Spring of Pirene, had gushed from the
earth and flowed down the mountain-side.
THE WINGED HORSE 399
So on Mount Helicon in the grove of golden-
beamed Apollo, Pegasus made his home, and was
cared for by the Nine Sister Muses. Freely he
came, and freely he went soaring into the sky, and
no one ever sought to tame him.
Now, when Bellerophon saw Pegasus drinking
from the Spring of Pirene, his wings glittering
in the soft morning light, he stole noiselessly
forward and clapped the golden bridle over his
jaw.
Instantly a shiver ran through the animal's
slender frame, his distended nostrils trembled;
but as he felt the touch of the soul-subduing
gold, he stood quietly and let Bellerophon mount
him. Then upward he sprang, and soared into
the sky, higher and higher, and away to the
land of Lycia, where the Chimsera was ravaging,
and destroying the people.
Terrible was the combat between Bellerophon
and the Chimsera. He fought her from Pegasus'
back, while the brave, Winged Horse hovered
above her. One by one he cut off her flame-
breathing heads; and so he destroyed her.
Then was Bellerophon filled with so great pride
and presumption that he wished to ascend even
to Heaven itself. So he urged Pegasus upward
and upward, and higher and higher.
But Jupiter, looking from his throne on Mount
Olympus, saw him ascending, and quickly sent
a little insect to sting the Winged Horse. The
400 THE WONDER GARDEN
insect hid under his wings, and stung him so
badly that, goaded by pain, he flung Bellerophon
from his back.
Down to earth Bellerophon fell, but he was not
injured. And there he wandered about, sorrowful
and lonely, until at last he died.
But the Winged Horse had flown into the
sky and was become a cluster of Stars. There
you may see him on any bright night if you search
the glittering heavens.
THE SNOW-WHITE BULL
Retold from Moschus and Ovid
ONCE upon a time, in the land of Phoenicia,
there dwelt a lovely young Princess named
Europa. Often with her playmates, girls of her
own age, she danced, or bathed in the bright
water of the streams, or gathered the fragrant
Lilies growing in the meadows by the sea.
One day at dawn, she rose from her bed, and
putting on a purple robe, hastened out to find
her playmates. Soon she met them, each carry-
ing a basket for flowers. Together they ran
down to the meadows by the sea, where they de-
lighted to pick blossoms and to listen to the
rolling waves breaking on the sand.
Europa carried a golden basket, on which
were pictures, delicately engraved, telling the
story of lo, the gentle maiden whom Jupiter
THE SNOW-WHITE BULL 401
once turned into a cow. And many and won-
derful were the pictures that were wrought in
brass and silver on the gold. Such was the
beautiful basket Europa carried.
Soon the maidens reached the meadows by
the sea. Hither and thither they ran, merrily
plucking their favourite flowers. Some pulled
Hyacinths, others plucked fragrant Daffodils,
or gathered blue Violets and balmy Thyme,
while still others tried to see who first could fill
their baskets with yellow Crocuses.
But among all her playmates, the Princess
Europa, breaking crimson Roses from their
stems, shone radiant and beautiful like Venus,
the Foam-born-One-among-the-Graces .
Now Jupiter was looking down from his ivory
throne on Mount Olympus, and saw Europa
gathering Roses. And as he looked, mischievous
Cupid pierced his heart with a love-tipped
arrow.
Then straightway Jupiter rose up, and changed
himself into a Bull; not an ordinary one such as
eats grass or is yoked for the plough, but a
wonderful creature. He was snow-white, with
a silver circle on his forehead. His horns were
transparent and bright like gems, and his eyes
mild and beautiful.
He hastened to the meadows by the sea.
Lowing gently he approached the maidens.
And when they saw the wonderful creature,
402 THE WONDER GARDEN
they were not afraid, but longed to stroke his
smooth white sides.
He stood before Europa, and, licking her
hands, cast a spell over her. She fed him with
Roses, and wreathed his horns with garlands.
He skipped upon the grass, and, lying down,
rolled his snowy sides among the flowers. Then,
rising, he stooped at her feet, and, bending his
head, showed her his broad back.
"Come, sweet friends and playmates!" cried
Europa gayly. "Come, let us sit on the back
of this Bull! He is not like other Bulls! See
how mild and kind he is! Surely he will carry
us gently!"
And, laughing, she took her seat on his back.
But before her playmates could follow, up he
leaped, and ran toward the sea.
In vain Europa stretched out her hands to
her playmates, and called to them for help.
The Bull reached the strand, and sprang upon
the water. With unwetted hoofs he rushed over
the wild waves. But the waves became calm
beneath him, and sea-beasts gambolled around
him. Dolphins, from pure joy, rolled in the
foam. The Nereids rose up from their coral
caves; while Neptune, King of the loud-sounding
Deep, made a smooth, watery path to guide the
Bull on his way. And the Tritons, thronging
near the path, blew a bridal song upon their
wreathed conch-shells.
THE SNOW-WHITE BULL 403
But Europa, in great fear, grasped with one
hand the Bull's glittering horn, while with the
other she held up the folds of her purple robe
lest it should be wet by the spume of the sea.
The Wind, swelling out her robe behind her like
a sail, lightly wafted her onward.
Soon she was far from her own land, and could
see only the blue air above and the blue water
around her. Terror filled her heart.
"Whither are you taking me, O Bull?" she
cried. "Who are you? Other Bulls fear the
salt wave, but you run over the water with un-
wetted hoofs! Alas! Alas! poor me! that I
left my father's palace and followed this crea-
ture, who is carrying me away to lands un-
known I"
"Fear not, beloved Maiden," answered the
Bull gently. "Take heart! Fear not the ocean
wave! Soon you shall see that I am a man, not
a Bull. In the Isle of Crete a shining palace is
awaiting you, where you shall reign over Crete
and over my heart!"
So spoke the Bull and rushed on. Soon he
stood upon the shore of Crete. He stooped, and
Europa sprang from his back to the sparkling
sand.
Then, lo! the Bull was changed, and was
Jupiter once more! Stately and bright he was,
and crowned with Olive-like branches. In his
hand he held his eagle- tipped sceptre; while his
404 THE WONDER GARDEN
robe, variegated like the flowers, was wrapped
about his majestic form.
Then he took the wondering Princess Europa
by the hand, and led her to the shining palace.
And there the wedding feast was held.
And in honour of the lovely Bride, to-day
men call the continent that lies to the west of
Asia, — Europe.
THE GIRL WHO TROD ON A LOAF
OF course you have heard of the girl who trod
on a loaf, so as not to spoil her pretty shoes;
and you know all the punishment this brought
upon her.
She was a poor child, but very vain and proud.
She had a bad disposition, people said. As she
grew older she became worse instead of better.
But she was very beautiful, and that was her
misfortune.
"You will bring evil on your own head," said
her mother, "and when you grow up you will
break my heart!"
And she did, sure enough.
At length she went into the country to be the
servant of some very rich people. They were as
kind to her as if she had been one of their own
family. And she was so well dressed and so
pretty that she became more vain than ever.
When she had been there a year, her master
GIRL WHO TROD ON A LOAF 405
and mistress said to her, "You should go and
visit your relations, little Inger."
So she went in all her finest clothes. But when
she reached the village, and saw her old mother
sitting on a stone, and resting her head against a
bundle of firewood that she had picked up in the
forest, Inger turned back. She felt ashamed that
she, who was dressed so well, should have a
mother who was a ragged creature and picked
up sticks for her fire.
A half year more had passed by.
"You must go home and see your old parents,
little Inger," said her mistress. "Here is a large
loaf of white bread — you can carry them this.
They will be rejoiced to see you."
And Inger put on her best clothes and nice
new shoes. She lifted her dress high, and
walked carefully so that she might not soil her
garments or her feet.
By and by she came to where the path went
over a marsh. There was water and mud in the
way. She threw the loaf of bread into the mud,
so that she could step on it, and go over with
dry shoes.
But just as she placed one foot on the bread,
and lifted the other up, the loaf sank into the
marsh, deeper and deeper, until she went en-
tirely down, and nothing was to be seen but a
black bubbling pool.
And what became of Inger?
406 THE WONDER GARDEN
She went down to the Moor- Woman, who
brews below. The Moor- Woman is the aunt of
the Fairies. But no one knows anything more
about the Moor- Woman, except that when the
meadows and marshes begin to reek in Summer,
it is because the old woman is brewing.
Into her brewery it was that Inger sank. The
kettles were filled with horrible smells, and
Snakes and Toads were crawling around. Into
this place little Inger sank; the bread stuck
fast to her feet, and drew her down. She shiv-
ered in every limb.
"This comes from wishing to have clean
shoes," thought Inger.
She stood there like a statue, fastened to the
ground by the bread. Around her were many
strange beings. How they stared at her, with
wicked eyes!
"It must be a pleasure to them to see me,"
thought little Inger, "I have such a pretty face,
and am so well dressed."
And she dried her tears. She had not lost
her conceit. But the worst of all was the dread-
ful hunger she felt. Could she not stoop down
and break off a piece of the bread on which she
was standing?
No! Her back was stiffened; her hands and
her arms were stiffened; her whole body was
like a statue of stone. She could move only her
eyes. The gnawing hunger was terrible to bear.
GIRL WHO TROD ON A LOAF 407
"If this goes on I cannot hold out much
longer," she said.
But she had to hold out, though her sufferings
became greater.
Then a warm tear fell upon her head; it
trickled over her face and neck all the way down
to the bread. Another tear followed, and still
another, and then many more. Who was weep-
ing for little Inger? Had she not a mother up
yonder on the earth?
And Inger could hear all that was being said
about her above in the world, and it was nothing
but blame and evil. Though her mother wept,
and was very sorrowful, yet she said: —
"Pride goes before a fall! That was your
great fault, little Inger! Oh! How miserable
you have made your mother!"
But Inger's heart became still harder than
the Stone into which she was turned. She felt
hatred for all mankind. She listened and heard
people above telling her story as a warning to
children. And the little ones called her "un-
godly Inger." "She was so naughty," they
said, "so very wicked, that she deserved to
suffer." The children always spoke harshly
of her.
But one day when hunger and suffering were
gnawing her dreadfully, she heard her name
mentioned, and her story told to a child — a
little girl. The child burst into tears.
408 THE WONDER GARDEN
"When will she come up again?" she asked.
The answer was, "She will never come up
again."
"But if she will beg pardon, and promise
never to be naughty again? " asked the child.
"But she will not beg pardon," they said.
"Oh! I wish she would!" sobbed the child.
"I will give my doll and my doll's house, if she
may come up! Poor little Inger!"
These words touched Inger's heart; she wished
to cry, but she could not.
Years and years went by on the earth above,
and Inger's mother died. The child who had
wept for her grew to be old — oh, very old in-
deed, and the Lord was about to call her to
Himself. And as her gentle spirit was passing
she remembered Inger, and wept once more for
the fate of the unhappy one.
And her tears sounded like an echo in the
abyss where Inger was. One of God's spirits
was weeping for her! And remorse and grief
filled Inger's soul, such as she had never felt
before.
She thought that for her the gates of Mercy
would never open. And, as in deep shame and
humility she thought thus, a ray of brightness
penetrated into that dismal abyss, a ray more
vivid and glorious than the Sunbeams that melt
the Snow-Figures children make in their gardens.
And this ray, more quickly than the Snow-
GIRL WHO TROD ON A LOAF 409
flake that falls on a child's warm mouth can
melt, caused Inger's stony figure to dissolve,
and a little grey bird arose, following the zigzag
course of the ray to the earth above.
But the bird was afraid and shy of everything
around it. It felt ashamed, and hid in a dark
hole in a wall. There it sat, and it crept into the
farthest corner, trembling all over.
For a long time it sat thus, before it ventured
to look out at all the beauty around it. The air
was so fresh, so soft. The Moon shone so clearly.
The trees and the flowers gave out sweet odours.
How all Creation told of love and glory! The
little bird would willingly have poured forth its
joy in song, but the power was denied it.
Then it flew out of the hole, and longed more
than ever to sing in gratitude. Perhaps some
day it might find a voice, if it could perform some
deed of thankfulness! Might not this happen?
The Winter was a hard one. The waters were
frozen thickly over. The birds and wild animals
in the wood could scarcely get food. The little
bird flew about the country roads, and, when it
found a few grains of Corn dropped in the ruts,
it would eat only a single grain, while it called to
all the starving Sparrows to come and enjoy the
rest.
It would also fly from village to village and
look about. And where kind hands had strewed
crumbs outside the windows for birds, it would
410 THE WONDER GARDEN
eat only one crumb, and give all the rest to the
Sparrows.
At the end of the Winter the little bird had
found and given away so many crumbs of bread
that they equalled in weight the loaf upon which
little Inger had trod in order to save her fine
shoes from being soiled.
And when it had given away the very last
crumb, the grey wings of the bird became white,
and expanded wonderfully.
"It is flying over the sea!" exclaimed the
children who saw the white bird.
Now it seemed to dip into the ocean, and now
it rose into the clear sunshine. It glittered in
the air. It disappeared high, high above. And
the children said that it had flown up to the
Sun.
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (adapted]
ALL THE HAPPY WONDER MONTHS
THE FOUR SWEET MONTHS
First, April, she with mellow showers
Opens the way for early flowers.
Then after her comes smiling May,
In a more rich and sweet array.
Next enters June, and brings us more
Gems than those two that went before.
Then, lastly, July comes, and she
More wealth brings in than all those three.
ROBERT HERRICK
THE FOUR SEASONS OF THE YEAR
So forth issued the Seasons of the Year:
First, Lusty Spring, all dight in leaves of flowers
That freshly budded and new blossoms did bear;
In which a thousand birds had built their bowers.
Then came the Jolly Summer, being dight
In a thin silken cassock, coloured green,
That was unlined all, to be more light:
And on his head a garland well beseen.
Then came the Autumn, all in yellow clad
As though he joyed in his plenteous store,
Laden with fruits that made him laugh full glad.
Lastly came Winter clothed att in frieze,
Chattering his teeth for cold that did him chill,
Whilst on his hoary beard, his breath did freeze.
EDMUND SPENSER (condensed)
OLD MAN COYOTE AND SUMMER
IN A BAG
Crow Myth
A LONG time ago, it was always Winter in the
Northland. There was nothing but Ice and
Snow. But in the Southland it was always
Summer, and the beautiful birds were there.
Now one time Old Man Coyote stepped out
of his lodge in the cold Northland, and saw a
youth blowing on his hands to warm them.
"Why are you doing that, my Son?" he asked.
" In the South is Summer, and young boys like you
are chasing the Buffalo calves and running after
birds. Why do you stay here where it is so cold ? "
The youth did not answer. He was thinking
of what Old Man Coyote had said, and it made
him feel badly. He longed to see Summer, and
to chase the calves and birds.
"I see you feel badly," said Old Man Coyote.
"I can help you. I am going after Summer.
Down in the Southland lives Woman-with-the-
Strong-Heart, who keeps Summer and Winter
tied up in bags. I am going to bring home
Summer."
Then Old Man Coyote called his four servants,
Wild Coyote, Deer, Wolf, and Jack Rabbit, and
together they set out for the warm Southland.
414 THE WONDER GARDEN
Soon they reached the country of the Summer
People, and Old Man Coyote said : —
"I will change myself into an Elk, and go into
the wood. When the Summer People see me,
they will come running to kill me. Then do you,
Wild Coyote, who are so wise, go to the tepee
of Woman-with-the-Strong-Heart, and, when she
comes rushing out to see what the matter
is, rub this magic medicine plant on her face.
Then slip into her tepee, and you will see two
bags — Summer in a dark bag, and Winter in a
white one. Take the dark bag, but do not touch
the white one."
So Old Man Coyote changed himself into an
Elk, and went into the wood. Soon the Summer
People saw him, and came shouting, and running
to kill him; while Woman-with-the-Strong-Heart
rushed from her tepee to see what was the matter.
Wild Coyote rubbed the magic medicine paint
on her face, and it took her voice away so she
could not call out. Then he slipped into the
tepee, snatched the dark bag from its place, and
ran away to the wood, where the Summer People
were hunting for the Elk. But the Elk had run
swiftly toward the Northland, and the Summer
People were following after.
Wild Coyote ran with the bag, and when he
grew tired he gave it to Deer.
Deer ran with the bag, and when he grew tired
he gave it to Wolf.
OLD MAN COYOTE AND SUMMER 415
Wolf ran with the bag, and when he grew tired
he gave it to Jack Rabbit.
Jack Rabbit ran with the bag. And so they
all came again safely to the cold Northland, and
gave the bag to the youth.
And just as the youth was about to untie it,
the Summer People came rushing up, and de-
manded the bag. But he would not give it to
them, until they promised that the Northland
should have it for half of each year.
That is the reason why the Southland and the
Northland have each six months of Summer and
six months of Winter, and why the birds fly
Northward in the hot time, and Southward
when the cold sets in.
As for Old Man Coyote, he kept his promise.
He made a bird called Prairie Chicken. And a
very wonderful bird is Prairie Chicken. His
neck is a Buffalo's muscle. He has a Snake's
head. In his tail is a Snake's rattle. His wings
are the claws of a Black Bear. His legs are from
Caterpillars.
And Old Man Coyote said to Prairie Chicken: —
"You are a bird. Go, now, and scare the
people by the whirring noise you make when you
fly up from the prairie grass."
So Old Man Coyote kept his word; and the
Northland got Summer, and the youth had a
bird to chase.
416 THE WONDER GARDEN
THE OLD WOMAN WHO MET
THE MONTHS
From the Island of Melos
ONCE upon a time, an old woman went out to
gather sticks for her fire. It was very cold
weather and she wished to warm herself. As
she walked across a waste bit of land she saw
a little house that had never been there before.
She peeped through the door, and inside sat
twelve handsome young Princes, richly clad.
" Come in ! Come in ! Old Woman ! " they said.
So in she went. Now, she was a very polite,
honest old woman, and she bowed low and
said: —
"Good hour to you, my happy Princes!"
"The same to you, Old Woman," they replied.
"But why do you come here in such very bad
weather? "
"Ah, my Children!" she sighed, "I am a poor
old thing, and am picking up sticks to warm my
house for my little ones. But, alas! my house is
tumbling down, the roof leaks, and the rain and
cold come in."
Then one of the young Princes said to her,
"Tell us, Old Woman, which of all the Months
of the year is the worst."
"Why, my child," answered she, "all the
Months are good. None of them is bad."
THE OLD WOMAN 417
"But, my old Woman," said the young Prince,
"how can January be so good as May?"
"My child," she said, "if January did not
send us the Snow to cover the ground, all the
little herbs and flowers would freeze. If April
did not send us the Rain, May would have no
beautiful blossoms!"
"Old Woman, have you a sack?" said all the
Princes.
So she gave them her sack in which she had
been putting sticks, and they filled it full of
gold-pieces. And the next minute the old woman
found herself in her kitchen with the sack by her
side.
Well, when her rich neighbour — a greedy
young woman — saw all the gold and heard the
old woman's story, she took the biggest sack she
could find, and went to the little house on the
waste. She peeped in, and there sat the twelve
handsome Princes, richly clad.
She entered without greeting them, and sat
down.
"Why are you here, Woman?" asked one of
the Princes.
"What is that to you?" said she. "The
wretched Month of January is come, and I can't
keep warm; that's why I'm here!"
"Come, then, tell us which of the Months
you like best," said the Prince.
"I don't like any of them," answered she.
418 THE WONDER GARDEN
"They are all bad enough, except, perhaps,
February; he has only twenty-eight days and
is the shortest of all!"
"Woman, have you a sack?" said all the
Princes.
So she gave them her big sack, joyfully.
They rilled it with Snakes, Vipers, and Toads.
And the next minute she found herself in her
kitchen with the sack beside her.
Then all the Snakes, Vipers, and Toads
jumped out and devoured her.
THE REED THAT WAS A MAIDEN
Retold from Ovid
IN those wondrous golden times, Pan dwelt in
the woods. And a very strange creature he was.
His face and body were those of a man, while his
long hairy legs ended in Goat's feet. From his
flat forehead sprouted two little horns.
Sometimes with loud bursts of laughter he
rushed through the woods, snapping twigs and
trampling down leaves. At other times he
bounded into the meadows, and noiselessly
capered along the banks of streams where the
Shepherds were watching their flocks. Often he
thrust his ugly head through the bushes and
grinned at the Shepherds, who, when they saw
his wrinkled red face and little horns, deserted
their sheep and ran away in a panic.
REED THAT WAS A MAIDEN 419
But above all things, this grinning mischievous
Pan liked to frighten the maidens of Diana-of-the-
Bended-Bow when they were hunting in the
wood. He would spring at them from behind
trees, and, shrieking, they would rush away in all
directions.
Now it happened one day that Syrinx, the
most beautiful of the maidens in Diana's train,
was hunting Deer in the Forest. Her robe was
tucked above her white knees, her hair flew in
the wind, and her eyes sparkled with delight.
She held her bow before her, with her sharp
arrow ready to shoot.
Pan, peeping through the trees, saw her, and
wcfndered at her beauty. Quickly he wreathed
his ugly head with sharp pine-needles and, step-
ping into her path, spoke gently to her.
"O lovely Maiden," he entreated, "stay your
swift footsteps. I am Pan, the guardian of
Shepherds and of Bees. All living things in the
woods and streams belong to me, the leaping fish,
and the wild-wood creatures. They are all mine.
I am Pan, their King. Stay, then, sweet Maiden,
and be my Queen, and rule over them all with
me."
But Syrinx fled away in terror. Pale and
trembling she hastened through the woods,
while Pan, shouting loudly, rushed after her.
Nearer and nearer he drew, until Syrinx heard
his loud laughter explode close to her ears, and
420 THE WONDER GARDEN
felt his hot breath on her hair. Alas! she knew
not whither to turn! A gentle stream crossed
her path, its bank overgrown with reeds. She
sprang down the bank to the water.
"O my sister Naiads," she cried, "save me!
Save me from Pan the goat-footed!"
And even as she cried out, Pan clasped her in
his rough arms. But, lo, she was gone, she was
changed! He no longer clasped a maiden, but
a slender, trembling Reed growing up from the
water's edge.
Then down among the Reeds sat Pan, sighing
and weeping for his lost Syrinx. And the "Wind,
pitying his grief, stirred the Reeds gently, and
they gave forth a murmuring sound like Syf inx'
own voice sweetly lamenting.
"Beloved Reeds," said Pan, "you shall ever
be with me, and for ever shall you charm away
my sorrow."
So he made musical pipes of the Reeds fastened
together with wax, and called them " Syrinx."
And night and day he wandered through the
woods and pastures and along the murmuring
streams, breathing on the Syrinx; and it gave
forth such melodious, lamenting sounds, that all
living things that heard them wept or laughed
with sadness or joy. And the Shepherds, watch-
ing their flocks, said one to another: —
"Listen! Listen to Pan's Pipes!"
REEDS THAT TOLD A SECRET 421
THE REEDS THAT TOLD A SECRET
Retold from Ovid
THIS is how the whole wide world came to know
that King Midas had Asses' ears : —
All through the Happy Wonder Months, Pan
wandered in the meadows where the Shepherds
fed their flocks, or he slept in the mountain-
caves, or he capered on his goat-legs along the
banks of the streams.
And everywhere that he went, he played softly
on his Syrinx. At the sound of his sweet strains
Dryads peeped from their tree-trunks; and
Naiads, rising up in the water-pools, wrung the
bright drops from then* azure hair, while they
listened to his sweet pipings.
"Hark! ye Nymphs!" cried Pan. "Listen to
the voice of my Syrinx," and then he piped so
melodiously and sadly that the Dryads and
Naiads laughed or wept from sheer joy or sorrow.
"Hark, ye Nymphs!" cried he again. "Listen
while I pipe a tune more delightful and charming
to the ear than any from the lyre of golden-
beamed Apollo"; and then he piped louder and
more sweetly than before.
But while he was speaking these boastful
words, golden-beamed Apollo heard him. Quickly
he flew down to earth from his Palace in the Sun.
His yellow hair was wreathed with Laurel from
422 THE WONDER GARDEN
the Daphne- tree; his long robe, dyed with
Tyrian purple, trailed in the fresh green grass;
while his lyre, adorned with ivory, glittered with
a thousand gems.
"I am come, O goat-legged Pan," said he,
"to hear you make good your boasting words.
Let us have a musical contest. Old Tmolus,
King of yonder lofty mountain, shall be our
umpire."
To this Pan eagerly consented, for he thought:
"Surely on my Syrinx I can play a more de-
lightful tune than any that Apollo can strike from
his lyre."
Then, upon his lofty mountain old Giant
Tmolus seated himself. His blue hair was
crowned with Oak-leaves, and Acorns hung about
his hollow temples. He shook his ears free from
huge trees, and cried out to Pan: —
"Ho! guardian of Shepherds and Bees! Let
there be no delay. I am here to be your umpire,
and will render a just decision."
Then Pan breathed softly on his Syrinx; and
sang of snowy Lambs bleating in green pastures,
and of Bees sipping honey from the flowers.
Apollo, holding his lyre in his left hand, struck
its strings gently with his right, while from them
gushed such delicious melody that the very stones
danced and the trees bowed their tall tops.
"Stay! stay your music! O Pan!" cried King
Tmolus. "The notes of your pipes sound shrill
REEDS THAT TOLD A SECRET 423
and ear-piercing compared with Apollo's ravish-
ing music. To Apollo alone belongs the victor's
wreath."
"Not so! not so!" said a hoarse voice near by,
for while they were playing, King Midas had
drawn near. "The noises Apollo makes may
please the ears of a Mountain-King," said he,
"but Pan's sweet pipings alone can charm my
music-loving soul. To Pan belongs the victor's
wreath."
"Stupid mortal!" exclaimed Apollo in fury,
"may you, then, have ears suited to enjoy the
rude pipings of goat-legged Pan!"
So saying, he seized King Midas's ears and
pulled them out longer and longer, until they
became Asses' ears filled with grey hairs and
flapping on either side of the poor King's face.
Then, laughing scornfully, Apollo flew back
to his Palace in the Sun.
But King Midas, in horror and shame, fled
to his own palace, and hid his Asses' ears under
a purple turban, so that no one knew he had
them.
But it chanced one day that the royal barber,
while cutting King Midas's long locks, saw the
tips of the Asses' ears peeping out of the turban.
Now he was a wise man, and knew that he must
not tell what he had seen. But the secret troubled
him more and more until he ran down to the
river-bank, and, digging a hole, whispered into it:
424 THE WONDER GARDEN
"King Midas has Asses' ears! King Midas
has Asses' ears!"
Then he filled up the hole, and went home
more contented.
Soon afterward, a bed of quivering Reeds
sprang up over the hole, and, whenever the West
Wind blew through them, they shivered and
sighed and shivered and sighed : —
"Hist! Hist! King Midas has Asses9 ears!
Hist! Hist! King Midas has Asses' ears!"
And that is how the whole wide world came to
know that King Midas had Asses' ears.
THE HUNDRED-HEADED DAFFODIL
From Ovid and Other Sources
IN the long, long ago there dwelt in the heart of
the earth a fierce King named Pluto, who reigned
over the Kingdom of Hades. Dreary and dark
was that subterranean Kingdom. Cerberus,
the three-headed Dog, guarded its entrance,
while the Shades of the Dead moaned through
its hollow-sounding palaces.
There was not a single beautiful thing in all
Hades. There were no flowers, no sunlight, no
birds; and Pluto, with gloomy eyes and sullen
brow, drove his black steeds from one end of the
Kingdom to the other seeking gold and silver ore;
for all the wealth of the underworld belonged to
him.
HUNDRED-HEADED DAFFODIL 425
Now it happened one day that Venus the
Beautiful was looking down from Mount Olym-
pus and saw King Pluto driving madly about.
She called her winged son, mischievous little
Cupid, to her knee, and, kissing him, said: —
"Dear Child! See yonder gloomy Pluto!
He has no beautiful thing in any of his caverns.
He has nothing to love. I will not have it so.
So do you, my Child, take one of your love-tipped
arrows — that wound but do not kill — and
shoot him through the heart."
So spoke Venus. And Cupid, opening his
golden quiver filled with a thousand sharp arrows,
took from it the sharpest. Then bending his
bow he shot King Pluto straight through the
heart, wounding him sorely.
Now, high above on the sunny earth was a
bright blue lake, and near it was a lovely field
of flowers. There little Proserpina, the daughter
of Mother Ceres, Keeper-of-all-the-Cornfields-in-
the- World, was playing barefooted in the grass.
She tossed her curly hair and pelted her play-
mates with flowers. Then, gathering up the
skirt of her little dress, she filled it with sweet
nosegays of Violets, Roses, Lilies, and Marigolds.
Her playmates did the same, and heaped their
baskets with Hyacinths, Crocuses, Amaranth,
and Rosemary, each trying to gather the most.
"Look! dear Girls!" cried Proserpina at last.
"See this wonderful flower growing here in the
426 THE WONDER GARDEN
middle of the meadow! It is a golden Daffodil
and has a hundred heads!"
As she spoke she pulled the Hundred-Headed
Daffodil, roots and all, from the ground. In-
stantly there was a roaring and a rumbling and
the earth opened wide. And from its yawning
chasm leaped Pluto's black horses, drawing his
golden chariot. And in the chariot stood the
fierce King himself, wrapped in his mantle and
urging on his steeds.
Cupid's arrow was still sticking in Pluto's
breast, and when he saw little Proserpina he
straightway loved her. Then swiftly he grasped
her and carried her off. The flowers fell from
her lap, scattering upon the grass. She saw them
fall and wept; then stretching out her small
white hands, she cried: —
"Alas! dearest Mother! I am being carried
away! Save me! Save me!"
But all in vain she cried, for King Pluto,
guiding his steeds and calling each by name,
shook the reins and plunged once more into the
chasm that closed above his head.
Through rocky gorges and caverns the steeds
rushed, and across black pools of boiling water,
and over sulphurous lakes, until they reached
King Pluto's subterranean Kingdom. And there
he made little Proserpina Queen of all Hades.
But she was not happy, and sat weeping and
wailing for her mother until the tops of the
HUNDRED-HEADED DAFFODIL 427
mountains and the depths of the seas rang with
her cries.
Now Mother Ceres, Keeper-of-all-the-Corn-
fields-in-the- World, heard her little daughter's
cries, and leaving her fields and the ripening
Corn-Ears hastened to the flowery meadow.
But she could not find Proserpina, for her play-
mates were all gone. Only the withered flowers
and the empty baskets lay upon the grass.
Then Ceres beat her breast with despair and
tore her Poppy-Wreath from her head. And
over land and sea, throughout the wide world,
she went, seeking her child, and crying as she
went: —
"Proserpina! O my Daughter! Proserpina!"
By night she carried two flaming torches, by
day she searched in the light of the Sun. But
nowhere could she find her lost child!
"O Zephyr! Gentle Zephyr!" she asked the
West Wind as he floated by, "have you seen my
daughter?"
And when Zephyr whispered "No," she has-
tened on.
"O Boreas! Strong Boreas!" she asked the
North Wind as he rushed by, "have you seen
my daughter?"
And when he roared "No" she hastened on.
And so she asked each thing she met, but no-
where could she find her lost child.
Meanwhile, in her grief and anger, she neg-
428 THE WONDER GARDEN
lected her cornfields. The birds picked the seeds
out of the ground. The weeds grew up rank and
thick. The hot Sun burned the blades of Corn.
And soon all the Cornfields, the wide world over,
were dry and barren. There was no Corn, and
the hungry people cried for bread.
And so it was when at last Ceres reached a
fountain that gushed from the earth. And
Arethusa, the Nymph of the Fountain, raised
her head from the water and tossed back her
dripping hair. Then she spoke thus : —
"O Mother of the child whom you have sought
throughout the whole world, cease your grief
and tend your Cornfields once more! The world
does not deserve to suffer so at your hands!
"Know that I, Arethusa, have seen your
daughter. As my stream was passing through
the caverns of the underworld I saw Proserpina
seated on King Pluto's throne. She is sad but no
longer weeping, for the King loves her tenderly,
and has made her Queen of all Hades.'*
And as the Nymph Arethusa spoke, Ceres
stood amazed, and as if turned to stone. Then
swiftly she got into her chariot drawn by Drag-
ons, and flew to Mount Olympus. Beating her
breast and tearing her hair, she stood before
Jupiter's throne.
"I am come, 0 Jupiter," she cried, "to be-
seech you to restore to me my little daughter,
whom King Pluto has carried off to his dark
HUNDRED-HEADED DAFFODIL 429
Kingdom! If he brings her back to me I will
return to my cornfields and give bread to the
people!"
Then Jupiter answered: "Gladly will I give
back Proserpina to you if she has not tasted any
food while in Hades. Otherwise, she must stay
with Pluto for ever."
Then he bade his messenger, Mercury, hasten
to Hades and fetch Proserpina.
So Mercury put on his winged hat and shoes,
and taking his Staff of Sleep in his hand flew
swiftly down to Pluto's Kingdom. And in a
beautiful garden that Pluto had made purposely
for her, he found little Queen Proserpina playing
by herself. But, alas! she had already plucked
one Pomegranate from a bending tree, and had
eaten seven of its seeds ! So she could not return
to her mother Ceres!
But when Jupiter learned this he decreed that
for seven months every year Proserpina should
dwell in Pluto's dark Kingdom, while for five
months she should live on the bright earth with
her mother.
And so it was. Every year for seven months
little Proserpina reigned as Queen in gloomy
Hades, while Ceres, mourning her loss, neglected
her cornfields. They grew dry and barren, the
Snow fell upon them, and Winter ruled the
earth.
But when the seven months were passed
430 THE WONDER GARDEN
Proserpina returned, and Ceres once more tended
her Cornfields. They grew green, the Corn sprang
up, the golden ears ripened in the sunshine.
And Spring and Summer and flowers and joy
came back to earth.
MARIORA FLORIORA
Moldavian Legend
IN all the wide Wonder Garden of Earth no
Nymph was so lovely as Mariora Floriora, the
Sister of the Flowers. She was as bright as a
tear of joy, as light-footed as a Fawn. Her
golden hair, soft as silk, fell in clusters on her
white brow and in waves on her shoulders. On her
lips was a scarlet blossom, in her mouth were Pearls.
When she went forth to walk hi the meadows,
the flowers laughed with joy, and, opening their
hearts, bowed before her; while their voices rang
out like chimes : —
"Good-morning, sweet Sister Mariora Flo-
riora! What will you have of us? Will you have
the scent of the Cowslip, or the perfume of the
Rose, or the fragrance of the Violet? Take us,
take us, Sister, and place us in your hair, or let
us fall asleep upon your breast."
So, listening and happy, she passed on her way
near the hoary mountain. And at her smile it
grew young again, and dressed itself in a robe of
green and crystal.
MARIORA FLORIORA 431
The birds woke and sang: —
"All hail, Mariora Floriora! What will you
have of us? Will you have our sweet voices?
Or shall we fetch you honey in dewy cups? Or
will you listen to the sighing of the gentle breeze?"
So all Nature awoke and rejoiced, when Mari-
ora Floriora, the Sister of the Flowers, walked
abroad.
But one day she met a young stranger,
mounted on a black horse with a white star in
its forehead.
"Sweet Maiden standing among the flowers,"
said the stranger, "are you the daughter of a
King or the shadow of a dream I once had?"
"If you would know who I am," she answered,
"ask my sisters the flowers, ask the mountain,
the torrents, the singing birds, the waterfalls,
and the skipping Fawns."
"Then, truly," exclaimed the youth, "you are
Mariora Floriora, the Nymph of the Flowers
and the maid of Aurora. You are my destined
bride! I will dismount from my steed. I will
remain with you for ever."
Mariora Floriora listened with a blush and
with laughter. She hid her face in her curls, and
peeped through them like a Butterfly or a bird
peeping from the leaves.
The stranger dismounted and seated himself
beside her in the grass. She laughed again, and
made a sign. A table loaded with delicious
432 THE WONDER GARDEN
fruits rose from the ground. They ate and were
happy.
Then she made another sign, and a chariot
drawn by six white Horses sprang up before her.
She took the stranger by the hand, and they
entered the chariot. The enchanted steeds
neighed, and swiftly skimmed over the surface
of the meadow, and flew to and fro across the
mountain-top.
The sister flowers, seeing that they were for-
gotten, drooped their heads and faded. The
birds stopped singing. The mountain took off
its robe of green and crystal, and hid itself in a
Cloud, while all the leaves of the trees yellowed,
withered, and fell.
But the lovely Mariora Floriora thought no
longer of her sisters the flowers, or of the birds
and the mountain.
Then the Sun, looking down, drank the bright
drops of Dew from her golden hair, and trans-
formed them into a Cloud that rose slowly to the
sky.
"Mariora Floriora," said the Sun, "you are
fair and lovely, but you are fickle. The sweetest
dreams will end! Do you know that your sisters
the flowers are faded and are returned to the
Sky complaining bitterly? Your birds are
silent, and your mountain is mourning. Punish-
ment will surely overtake you, O Mariora
Floriora!"
MARIORA FLORIORA 433
But she would not listen to him. She had
thoughts for nothing but the stranger.
The air was soft, the mountain was bathed in
pearly light. The little birds neither flew nor
sang. Shadows were the only moving things.
Then came a plaintive sound through the air
like a mother's voice mingling with the music of
bells. The Earth trembled. Mariora Floriora
gazed fearfully around. A black Cloud hovered
dark and menacing above her head, like the Evil
Spirit of the Storm. It spread its sombre and
awful wings across the sky. It was the same
cloud that was formed from the dewdrops in her
hair.
Mariora Floriora grew pale, and leaned toward
the stranger.
"Farewell! O Beloved!" she sighed. "The
Evil Storm Spirit has come from the mountain
to tear me from your heart. I have forgotten
my sisters the flowers, and they have complained
of me in the sky."
She wept as she spoke. And the Cloud became
darker. The Thunder roared, and the Light-
ning flashed. The Winds moaned. And Mariora
Floriora hid her face in despair.
The black Cloud swooped downward, and the
Evil Storm Spirit, seizing her in his arms, flew
away with her to the mountain. Then the Sun
shone brightly once more, the Sky was blue again.
And where now is Mariora Floriora, the Nymph
434 THE WONDER GARDEN
of the Flowers, the maid of Aurora? Is she
wandering over nine lands and nine seas seeking
the Wonder Garden where dwell all the Nymphs
and the Stars?
When the silvery-white Moon rides high and
serene in the heavens, Mariora Floriora's plain-
tive murmurs are heard in the caverns of her
mountain.
THE WOOING OF POMONA
Retold from Ovid
ONCE upon a time, in the happy days of old,
Vertumnus, Ereeper-of -All - the - Orchards -in-the-
World, crowned himself with flowers, and wan-
dered about looking for orchards that needed
his care.
It happened that he strayed near a high wall,
above which he saw the tops of fruit-trees laden
with rosy Apples. Near the wall some Fauns
were dancing, their ugly horned heads wreathed
with pine, and their goat-feet trampling the
grass.
"Tell me, O Pans," said Vertumnus, "who
dwells behind this high wall?"
"The lovely Pomona, the Hamadryad, dwells
there!" they cried. "Alas! she loves only her
garden and fruit! Daily with pruning-knife
she trims her Apple-Trees; and she waters their
roots, and cares for the blossoms. But she has
THE WOOING OF POMONA 435
no eyes for her poor lovers, who haunt this wall
hoping in vain for a glimpse of her face! Many
are her suitors, but she disdains them all; they
may not even enter her garden."
"But I shall enter her garden!" said Vertum-
nus.
And straightway he dressed himself like a
gardener, with a pruning-hook in his hand, and
went into her garden. Pomona came forward to
meet him, and eagerly begged him to prune her
vines.
So fair and joyous was she, and so delicate like
an Apple-Blossom, that Vertumnus, gazing on her,
loved her with all his heart. But she, thinking
that he was a gardener, scarcely looked at him
at all, and watched him prune the vines. Then,
when evening came, she paid him and sent him
away.
But Vertumnus could not forget her. On
another day he dressed as a reaper and carried a
basket of Corn to Pomona. She bought some,
and sent him away.
Again and again he returned to her, some-
times as a fisherman, and again as a pruner; but
always she took what he had to offer, and paid
him and sent him away. And always Vertumnus,
as he gazed at her, loved her more and more.
At last, one day, he changed himself into an
old woman, wrinkled and bent. And, wrapped
in a cloak, he entered Pomona's garden.
436 THE WONDER GARDEN
"Fair Maid," said the old woman, "how
beautiful are your Apples ! How heavily laden
are your trees with the glowing fruits of Autumn !
Come, let us sit here on the grass, and admire
their rich colours."
So Pomona sat down beside her, and the old
woman, after giving her a few gentle kisses, said
thus:-
"Look, dear Maid, at yonder Elm wreathed
in a grapevine from which hang clusters of
purple Grapes. What would the Elm do with-
out the beauty of the vine that clings so tenderly
to it? And if there were no Elm for the vine to
lean against, the poor thing would lie upon the
ground to be trampled under foot!
"Ah me! fair Maid! Why do you, then, send
away all your lovers? Why not seek a strong
husband, like yonder Elm, to lean upon? Be
advised by me, an old woman! There is
Vertumnus. Choose him for yourself. Of all
your suitors he is the most desirable. He is
handsome, he is graceful.
" You will be his first and only love ! Then, too,
your tastes are alike. You are devoted to your
garden and your Apples. He, the Keeper-of-All-
the-Orchards-in-the- World, holds rich gifts of
all kinds of fruits in his hands. Never again
shall the Frost nip your buds; and never again
shall the rude North Wind, Boreas, strip the
Apple-Blossoms from your boughs. Vertumnus
THE WOOING OF POMONA 437
will devote his life to you, doing anything that
you may bid. He loves you dearly; have pity
upon him!
"Listen, now, sweet Maid, and I will relate a
story that shall move your heart: —
Story of the Stony Maiden
" Once upon a time, in the golden isle of Cyprus,
there lived a maid named Iphis. The noble
young Teucer loved her. He came daily to her
house, but she would not open the door. He
hung garlands wet with the dew of his tears on
her doorposts, and, pressing his sorrowful face
against the door, he implored her to listen; but
still she would not open.
"Cruel she was, and deaf to his entreaties. At
last in despair he sank down and died upon her
threshold. Then Iphis went and gazed coldly
upon him. But as she looked her cheek turned
pale, her eyes became set, the warm blood stood
still in her veins, her limbs grew numb and
heavy. She tried to flee, but she could not move.
She was turned into a cold, cold stone!
"So, lovely Pomona, learn from this tale not
to be cruel. Lay aside your disdain, and give
yourself to one who so tenderly loves you!"
So spoke the old woman, and, rising, she flung
off her cloak. And before Pomona's astonished
and delighted eyes Vertumnus himself stood
438 THE WONDER GARDEN
in all his brilliancy, like the golden Autumn
Sun.
On his head was a crown of bright flowers. In
one hand he held rosy Apples and yellow Pears,
in the other a great cornucopia heaped high with
Grapes, Plums, and Peaches. So joyous were
his eyes and so beautiful was he, that Pomona
loved him straightway.
And ever after that the happy Pomona and
her Vertumnus wandered hand-in-hand about
the world tending all the orchards. They helped
the fruit-blossoms to unfold in the Springtime.
They guarded the green fruit from blight in the
Summer. And when the Autumn came, they
painted the ripe, delicious fruits with all the
glowing colours of the Autumn trees.
THE NEW YEAR
IT was the last day of the Old Year. The Snow
was falling heavily, and twirling and whirling
through streets and alleys. The windows were
white with Frost. Snow slipped in masses from
the roofs.
The people on the streets were in a great
hurry. They ran through the blinding flakes,
and bumped into each other, then ran on again.
The Frost on the wagons and horses looked like
powdered sugar.
But when night was come the storm died
THE NEW YEAR 439
down. The air was calm, the Sky was deeply
dark and transparent, and the Stars shone
brightly like silver. Midnight drew near, — the
last minute of the Old Year slipped away, the
New Year was born.
And when the Sun rose, it sparkled on the
Snow that crackled under foot. In the street
some little Sparrows were hopping about, search-
ing for food; but the Wind of the Old Year had
swept the Snow clean. It was terribly cold.
"Tweet! Tweet!" said one little Sparrow to
another. "People call this the Happy New
Year! I think it is worse than the Old! I am
very sad! Last night people rejoiced because
the Old Year was gone. They fired guns and
made a great noise to welcome the New Year. I,
too, was glad, for I hoped that warmer days were
come. But it is colder and freezes worse than
ever! I think people must have made a mis-
take — it is not the New Year!"
"WTien Spring comes, the New Year begins,"
said an old Sparrow with a white head.
"But when will Spring come?" asked the
others.
"When the Stork returns," replied the old
Sparrow. "No one in town knows when that
will be. Only the country people know. Shall
we fly away to the fields and wait? Surely
Spring will come sooner in the country."
"That sounds very well," said another Spar-
440 THE WONDER GARDEN
row, who had been hopping about, chirping.
"But I have found too many comforts here in
town. I should miss them in the country.
Where I live the family have placed three flower-
pots by the garden wall, with the openings
against the wall and the bottoms of the pots
pointed outward. They have cut a hole in each
pot big enough for me to fly in and out. I and
my husband have built a nest in one of them,
and there we have brought up our children. The
people strew bread-crumbs for us every day, so
we have plenty of food. No! I think my hus-
band and I will stay where we are."
"But we will fly away to the fields," said all
the other Sparrows, "to see if Spring is come."
And off they flew.
It was really WTinter in the country. It was
much colder than in the town. The freezing
Winds blew over the snow-covered fields. The
farmer, wrapped in his coat, sat huddled in his
sleigh. The reins lay on his knee. He beat his
arms across his breast to warm them. The
horses ran and their sides sent up clouds of
steam. The Snow snapped and sparkled. And
the little Sparrows hopped about in the road,
shivering and crying.
"Tweet! Tweet! When will Spring come?
It is a very long time in coming!"
"Very long, indeed!" sounded a loud voice
over the meadow.
THE NEW YEAR 441
Perhaps it was an echo, or perhaps it was the
voice of a strange old man who sat on a mound
of Snow. He was clad in white. He had flowing
white locks and a pale face. His eyes were large,
and clear, and blue, like ice.
"Who is that old one?" asked the Sparrows.
"I know who he is," croaked a Raven. "He
is Old Man Winter himself. He rules here still.
He did not die when the New Year came. He is
watching for the coming of little Prince Spring.
Oh ! how cold it is and how you shiver, my little
ones!
But the Sparrows did not answer; they only
hopped about, still crying: —
"Tweet! Tweet! When will Spring come?"
Week after week passed by. The woods were
dark and drear. The lake was frozen and grey.
Icy mists hung above the land. Flocks of black
Crows flew silently overhead. But one day a
little Sunbeam touched the lake. The Ice soft-
ened and shone like silver. The Snow did not
sparkle any more.
Still Winter sat on his white mound, ever
gazing southward. He did not see that the Snow
was vanishing and sinking into the earth, and
that here and there green grass was springing up.
In the grass the little Sparrows hopped.
"Tee-weet! Tee-weet!" they cried. "Surely
Spring is coming."
"Spring!" And a joyous cry sounded over
442 THE WONDER GARDEN
the meadows and through the brown, leafless
woods !
The moss freshened on the tree-trunks, and
from the land of the South two Storks came fly-
ing with outspread wings, and on the back of each
Stork sat a lovely child, a little boy and a little
girl. They sprang to the earth and kissed the
green grass.
They drew near to Old Man Winter, whose icy
breath stirred the air. They threw their arms
about his neck and kissed him. A thick, damp
mist rose from the mound and like a veil wrapped
itself about the two children. Then a soft Wind
blew away the mist, and the Sun shone.
Old Man Winter was gone! And the lovely
little children of Spring sat on a flowery throne.
Then the little girl held her apron up; it was
filled with blossoms. She cast white and pink
petals over Apple and Peach trees, and showered
the grass with spring flowers. Next, the boy
and she both clapped their hands, and flocks of
birds came twittering, and singing : —
"Spring is here!"
How beautiful it all was !
And the little Sparrows hopped with joy, and
cried : —
"Now the New Year is really come!"
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (adapted)
APPENDIX
NATURE MYTHS AND STORY-TELLING
As an aid to Nature-study, a nature myth or tale should be
told the children at least once a week; for such stories are
both practical and cultural. They may be used to arouse
interest in botany, flower-raising, tree-planting, farming,
school-gardening, bird-study, and art and poetry. Rightly
told or read aloud, they will stimulate the imagination and
fancy, and enrich expression.
Little poems for memorizing or for reading aloud, are in-
cluded here; and the children may learn and dramatize the
stories of which is offered a large variety to choose from.
There are myths, poems, and tales, about more than forty
different kinds of flowers (garden and wild), as well as many
about trees, animals, insects, birds, also about the Sun,
Moon, Stars, Rain, Wind, Clouds, and Rainbow.
The classic myths will help to explain poetry and pictures;
while tales like "Little White Daisy," and "Why the Frogs
Call the Buttercups," will fix botanical names in the chil-
dren's memories. The farm-stories and the bird and flower
legends will prove most helpful to Vacation-School teachers
and to mothers summering in the country.
The following Programme is merely suggestive. If so pre-
ferred, any teacher, librarian, or social worker, may make a
new and attractive one to suit the fancy of her audience, by
reading over the stories and consulting the Subject Index on
page 469. For instance a charming School-Garden Programme
may be planned, or one for a wild-flower excursion, for a
picnic, or for a "birding" expedition.
This Programme follows the Seasons, from the time that
School begins in the Autumn. It follows the progress of the
Seasons in a temperate climate where Autumn, Winter,
Spring, and Summer reign equally. Story-tellers in very
cold or warm parts of the country should rearrange the
Programme to suit their own Fauna and Flora.
"An Old English Calendar of the Flowers," is appended
on page 452. Special material for Resurrection Day (Easter),
Dominion Day (Canadian), Bird Day, and Arbour Day may
be found on page 451.
PROGRAMME CALENDAR
FOR EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR
To use this Programme, reed over the stories for the week, and
choose that one best suited to your audience. If too old for your
children, read the story several times, and retell it simply in your
own language. The stories may be read aloud instead of told.
When a month has Jive weeks, use an untold story from a
Teach the children the little 'poems. Even young children who
do not understand all the words, will delight in the rhythm and
sound-colour. Gradually the full meanings of the words will
come to them.
SEPTEMBER
FIRST WEEK. Labour Day.
Man who Brought Fire, p. 287; Why Unlucky Iron Kills,
p. 290; In streams the gold, the copper flows (poem), p. 274.
SECOND WEEK. Potato Wonders.
Potato! Potato! p. 349; Potato-Choosing Boy, p. 355.
THIRD WEEK. Corn Wonders.
Legend of the Corn, p. 381; Seven Corn Maidens, p. 376;
All around the happy village (poem), p. 338.
FOURTH WEEK. Marvellous Adventures.
Fisherboy Urashima, p. 223; Peach Boy's Rice-Cakes,
p. 371; Boy whose Wings Fell Off, p. 249.
OCTOBER
FIRST WEEK. In the Apple Orchard.
Apple of Discord, p. 209; Idun and the Magic Apples,
p. 215; Little Nymph who Rang the Bells, p. 114; Golden
Apples of the Hesperides, p. 205; The Golden Apple, the
Golden Apple (poem), p. 198.
SECOND WEEK. Autumn Colours.
Little Nymph who Loved Bright Colours, p. 11; Wooing
of Pomona, p. 434; Legend of the Goldenrod, p. 136.
APPENDIX 447
THIRD WEEK. Wonder Fruits and Almond Flower.
Why the Pomegranate Wears a Crown and Royal Robes,
p. 202; Tantalizing Fruits, p. 204; White Flowering Almond,
p. 319.
FOURTH WEEK. Halloween.
Witch Cat, p. 345; Old Witch who was a Burr, p. 137.
NOVEMBER
FIRST WEEK. The Star Flower.
Maiden White and Maiden Yellow, p. 50; Chrysanthe-
mum Children, p. 47.
SECOND WEEK. Unthrifty and Lazy.
Nightingale and the Rose, p. 74; Lazy Boys who Became
the Pleiades, p. 255; Girl who Trod on a Loaf, p. 404.
THIRD WEEK. Greedy Ones.
Erysichthon the Hungry, p. 323; Duck-Feather Man,
p. 353.
FOURTH WEEK. Thanksgiving Day.
Cup of Thanksgiving, p. 31; The Pet Turkey whose
Feelings were Hurt, p. 366.
DECEMBER
FIRST WEEK. Winged Wonders.
Magpie Maidens, p. 90; Winged Horse, p. 397; Ram with
the Golden Fleece, p. 383.
SECOND WEEK. Snow White.
Snow-Blanche, p. 297; How the First Snowdrop Came,
p. 303.
THIRD WEEK. Gifts of Gold.
Golden Gift of King Midas, p. 275; Wicked Fairies, p. 283.
FOURTH WEEK. Christmas Day.
Christmas Thorn of Glastonbury, p. 36.
JANUARY
FIRST WEEK. New Year's Day.
Old Woman who Met the Months, p. 416; New Year,
p. 438.
448 APPENDIX
SECOND WEEK. Littie Flowers for the Window-Box.
Mignonette Fairy, p. 26; Forget-Me-Not, p. 39; Legend
of the Heart's Ease, p. 28; A bit of the Sky fell down one
day (poem) p.v.
THIRD WEEK. When the White Snow Falls.
Snowball Hares, p. 301; Garden of Frost Flowers, p. 304;
Now you must know that in those early times (poem), p. 296.
FOURTH WEEK. Magical Farm Animals.
Enchanted Swine, p. 389; Snow-White Bull, p. 400; Why
Dogs Have Long Tongues, p. 347.
FEBRUARY
FIRST WEEK. Magic Music.
Reed that was a Maiden, p. 418; Reeds that Told a Secret,
p. 421.
SECOND WEEK. St. Valentine's Day.
Fairy Swan Song, p. 238; Morning-Glory Fan, p. 175;
Adventures of Cupid Among the Roses, p. 55; Then came
we to great breadths of shady wood (poem), p. 54.
THIRD WEEK. Moon Folk.
Sheep in the Pasture, p. 254; Jack and Jill, p. 252; Man in
the Moon, p. 251.
FOURTH WEEK. The Snowdrop Rises.
Snowdrop Fairy, p. 7; Why the Snow is White, p. 302.
MARCH
FIRST WEEK. Wild March Winds.
Bag of Winds, p. 268; Halcyon Birds, p. 264.
SECOND WEEK. St. Patrick's Day in the Morning.
\Vhy there are no Snakes in Ireland, p. 191; Last of the
Serpents, p. 193.
THIRD WEEK. March Hares.
\Vhite Hare of Inaba, p. 181; Why Rabbits Have Yellow
Hairs, p. 188; Little White Rabbit, p. 278.
FOURTH WEEK. The Snowdrop's Neighbours.
Legend of the Trailing Arbutus, p. 123; Legend of the
Frail Windflower, p. 108; Legend of the Anemone and the
Rose, p. 64.
APPENDIX 449
APRIL
FIRST WEEK. Whispering Waters.
Arethusa, p. 148; Arethusa arose (poem), p. 144; Weeping
Waters, p. 146; Stone that Shed Tears, p. 145; Little Hylas,
p. 150; A Drop of Rain was falling (poem), p. 222; First April,
she with mellow showers (poem), p. 412.
SECOND WEEK. The Rainbow Bridge.
Flower of the Rainbow, p. 246; Why the Iris Wears Rain-
bow Colours, p. 245; Colours of the Rainbow, p. 257.
THIRD WEEK. Planting the Farm.
Proud Buckwheat, p. 339; Farmer Mybrow, p. 342; Tur-
key-Given Corn, p. 360; All around the happy village (poem),
p. 338.
FOURTH WEEK. Flower Youths.
Why Crocus Holds up his Golden Cup, p. 107; Echo and
Narcissus, p. 16; Hyacinth, p. 14.
MAY
FIRST WEEK. May Day.
Old-Man- Who-Made-the-Trees-to-Blossom, p. 315; Mari-
ora Floriora, p. 430; I bring fresh Showers (poem), p. 244.
SECOXD WEEK. Mothers' Day.
Hundred-Headed Daffodil, p. 424; Maiden of the White
Camellias, p. 40; Magic Strawberries, p. 199; Golden Straw-
berries, p. 201.
THIRD WEEK. Buttercups and Daisies.
Story that the Buttercups Told, p. 130; Why the Frogs
Call the Buttercups, p. 132; Little White Daisy, p. 134; The
air is soft, the dale is green (poem), p. 122; The Daisy scat-
tered on each mead and down (poem), p. 106.
FOURTH WEEK. Hidden in the Grass.
Wood-Violet that was a Maiden, p. 127; Dandelion Fairies,
p. 128; Fairy Cowslips, p. 140; Next followed on the Fairy
Nobles (poem), p. 122.
JUNE
FIRST WEEK. More Flower Youths.
Cornflower Youth, p. 113; Pansy-Boy, p. 23; Primrose
Son, p. 110.
450 APPENDIX
SECOND WEEK. Rose Legends.
How Moss-Roses Came, p. 71; Blush-Rose and the Sun,
p. 70; King Suleyman and the Nightingale, p. 73.
THIRD WEEK. Flower Maidens.
Princess Peony, p. 44; Little Princess White Chicory,
p. 131; Bad Poppy Seeds, p. 24; Clytie, the Heliotrope, p. 21;
Jealous girls these sometimes were (poem), p. 6.
FOURTH WEEK. Queen-Rose.
Rose-Tree Queen, p. 67; Fruit on the Rosebush, p. 118;
Sultana of the Flowers, p. 72; I will not have the mad
Clytie (poem), p. 54.
JULY
FIRST WEEK. Lilies White.
Lilies White, p. Ill; Now all fair things come to light
(poem), p. 6.
SECOND WEEK. Blossom Visitors.
Gleam-o'-Day and the Princess Lotus-Flower, p. 155;
Prince Butterfly and Clover Blossom, p. 161; Marigold
Arrows, p. 116; A Wild-Rose tree (poem), p. 154.
THIRD WEEK. Wonder Wings and Webs.
Anansi the Spider Man, p. 165; Ladybird! Ladybird!
p. 171; Boy who Caught Flies, p. 172; Here are Sweet-Peas
(poem), p. 6.
FOURTH WEEK. Fairy Gloves.
Pan's Lovely Maid, p. 142; Fox in Gloves, p. 141; The
Foxglove on fair Flora's hand is worn (poem), p. 106.
AUGUST
FIRST WEEK. Golden Fireflies.
Prince Golden-Firefly, p. 158; Firefly! Firefly! (poem),
p. 154.
SECOND WEEK. Things in the Forest.
Story of the Tiger and the Man, p. 183; Why the Deer
Have Antlers, p. 190; Old Man Coyote and Summer in a
Bag, p. 413; Her angel's face (poem), p. 180.
THIRD WEEK. Moon Maiden and Dawn Maiden.
Tithonus, the Grasshopper, p. 174; Robe of Feathers,
p. 97; Maiden in the Moon, p. 256.
APPENDIX 451
FOURTH WEEK. Water Bright, Water Light.
Arion and the Dolphin, p. 232; Prince Fireshine and Prince
Firefade, p. 227; Jewel Tears, p. 234; A Drop of the Water of
Light, p. 258; Full fathom five thy father lies (poem),
p. 222.
FOR SPECIAL DAYS
RESURRECTION DAY (EASTER).
Beauty of the Lily, p. 32; Dragon Sin, p. 29.
DOMINION DAY. The Maple Leaf For Ever! p. 330.
BIRD DAY.
Bird Calls, p. 79; Boy that the Eagle Stole, p. 95;
Greedy Blackbird, p. 83; King Picus the Woodpecker,
p. 87; Pan's Song, p. 100; Spice Bird, p. 85; My old Welsh
neighbour over the way (poem), p. 78.
See also Birds and Bird Day, in Subject Index, p. 472.
ARBOUR DAY.
Daphne, p. 333; Daughter of the Laurel, p. 317; Orpheus
who Made the Trees to Dance, p. 320; Wind in the Pine,
p. 326; Orpheus with his lute made trees (poem), p. 314.
See also Trees and Arbour Day, in Subject Index, p. 482.
STATE FLOWER AND TREE DAYS.
Look up names of flowers and trees in Subject Index.
AN OLD ENGLISH
CALENDAR OF THE FLOWERS
February 2. The Snowdrop in purest white array
First rears her head on Candlemas Day.
14. While the Crocus hastens to the shrine
Of Primrose love on Saint Valentine.
March 25. Then comes the Daffodil beside
Our Lady's Smock at our Lady Tide.
April 23. About Saint George, when blue is worn,
The Blue Harebells the fields adorn.
May 3. While on the day of the Holy Cross
The Crowfoot gilds the flowery grass.
June 11. When Barnaby bright smiles night and day,
Poor Ragged Robin blooms in the hay.
24. The Scarlet Lychnis, the garden's pride,
Flames at Saint John the Baptist's tide.
July 15. Against Saint Swithin's hasty showers
The Lily white reigns the Queen of the
Flowers.
20. And Poppies a sanguine mantle spread
For the blood of the Dragon Saint Margaret
shed.
22. Then under the wanton Rose again
That blushes for penitent Magdalen.
August
f. Till Lammas-day called August's wheel, "\
When the long Corn stinks of Camomile. '
APPENDIX 453
August 15. When Mary left us here below,
The Virgin's Bower begins to blow.
24. And yet anon the full Sun-Flower blew,
And became a star for Bartholomew.
September 14. The Passion Flower long has blowed
To betoken us signs of the Holy Rood.
29. The Michaelmas Daisy among dead weeds
Blooms for Saint Michael's valorous deeds.
October 28. And seems the last of flowers that stood
Till the feast of Saint Simon and Saint Jude.
November 1. Save Mushrooms and the Fungus race
That grow as All-hallow-tide takes place.
25. Soon the evergreen Laurel alone is seen,
When Catherine crowns all learned men.
December 25. Then Ivy and Holly Berries are seen
And Yule-Clog and Wassail come round again.
STORY-TELLER'S REFERENCE LIST
OF NATURE MYTHS AND TALES IN OTHER
BOOKS
THIS list is practically an index to the volumes of the Story-
Teller's Series: Good Stories for Great Holidays; Story Telling
Poems; Red Indian Fairy Book; and The Book of Elves and
Fairies.
It is also a reference list of nature stories to be found in
various volumes useful to story-tellers in home, school, and
library. It is merely suggestive for many good stories are not
listed here because of lack of space. As a number of Hans
Andersen's charming stories are not included in the volumes
of his stories usually found on the children's shelves, refer-
ences here are made to the two volumes of his fairy tales,
Wonder Stories Told for Children, and Stories and Tales. They
are quite complete, handy in size, and excellent for the story-
teller's use.
A number of the books mentioned below are not for the
children's own reading, but for adults; such as Davis, Myths
and Legends of Japan; Leland, Algonquin Legends; Barker
and Sinclair, West African Folk Tales; and Gordon Smith,
Ancient Tales and F oik-Lore of Japan. They contain, however,
many charming stories for adaptation.
KEY TO ARRANGEMENT
The arrangement follows closely the order of the stories in
the body of this book.
L Flower Myths and Tales (Garden and Wild).
II. Bird Myths and Tales.
III. Water Myths and Tales.
IV. Insects: Bees, Butterflies, Spiders, Etc.
V. Wild Creatures of Forest and Field.
VI. Fruit Myths and Tales.
VII. Sky Stories: Clouds, Wind, Sun, Moon, etc.
VIII. Fire Legends and Tales of Gold.
APPENDIX 455
IX. Winter: Ice, Snow, Frost.
X. Tree Myths and Tales.
XI. Farm Wonders.
XII. The Seasons and the Months.
I
FLOWER MYTHS AND TALES
GARDEN FLOWERS. Amarakos the Marjoram, in Deas,
Flower Favourites; A Yellow Pansy (poem), in Cone, Chant
of Love for England; Bean Flower and Pea Blossom, in
Tileston, Children's Treasure Trove of Pearls; Fairy Tulips,
in Good Stories for Great Holidays; Fireflower (Poppies),
in Beals, Flower Lore and Legend; Five out of One Shell
(Sweet Peas), in Andersen, Stories and Tales; Flower Fairies
(Peonies and Camellias), in Book of Elves and Fairies, also in
Giles, Chinese Fairy Tales; Garden of Bluebells, in Wright,
With the Little Folks; How the Carnation Came.Red, in Deas,
Flower Favourites; Legend of the Forget-Me-Not, in Skinner,
C. M., Myths and Legends of Flowers, etc.; Legends of the
Pansies, in Beals, Flower Lore and Legend; Lily of the Valley,
in Lum, Ancient Legends; Lily Wife, in Skinner, C. M., Myths,
and Legends of Flowers, etc.; Little Princess Sunshine (Lilies),
in Wright, With the Little Folks; Little Violet and Proud
Madame Tulip, in Deas, Flower Favourites; Snowdrop, in
Good Stories for Great Holidays; also in Bailey and Lewis,
For the Children's Hour, and in Andersen, Wonder Stories
Told for Children (title, The Summer Gowk) ; Story of the
First Snowdrops, in Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; Story
of the Iris, in Beals, Flower Lore and Legend; Tulip Bed, in
Rhys, English Fairy Book; Wall Flower, in Lum, Ancient
Legends; Why the Morning-Glory Climbs, in Bryant, How
to Tell Stories to Children,
ROSES. How We Came to Have Pink Roses, in Bryant,
How to Tell Stories to Children; Legend of the Christmas Rose,
in Smith and Hazeltine, Christmas in Legend and Story, also
in Harper, Story-Hour Favorites; Little Pink Rose, in Bryant,
Stories to Tell to Children; Loveliest Rose in the World, in Good
456 APPENDIX
Stories for Great Holidays, also In Andersen, Stories and Tales;
Neighbouring Families, in Andersen, Wonder Stories Told for
Children; Prince and the Nightingale, in Skinner, C. M.,
Myths and Legends of Flowers, etc.; Princess Beautiful, in
Riverside Third Reader; Rose and the Lotus, in Skinner, C. M.,
Myths and Legends of Flowers, etc.; Rose Tales, in Beals,
Flower Lore and Legend; Sir Galahad and the Rose Maiden, in
Lum, Ancient Legends; Why Wild Roses Have Thorns, in Red
Indian Fairy Book, also in Young, Algonquin Indian Tales.
WILD FLOWERS. Canon Flowers (wild flowers), in Good
Stories for Great Holidays, also in Connor, Sky Pilot; Daisy,
in Andersen, Wonder Stories Told for Children; Goldenrod and
Aster, in Beals, Flower Lore and Legend; Hans and the Won-
derful Flower, in Bailey and Lewis, For the Children's Hour;
How the Blossoms Came to the Heather, in Holbrook, Book
of Nature Myths; Legend of the Primrose, in Skinner, A. M.
and E. L., Turquoise Story Book; Legend of the Violet, in Red
Indian Fairy Book, also in Canfield, Legends of the Iroquois;
Meadow Dandelion, in Red Indian Fairy Book; One-Eyed
Prying Joan's Tale (wild flowers), in Book of Elves and
Fairies; Spring Beauties (poem), in Cone, Chant of Love for
England; Spring Beauty, in Red Indian Fairy Book, also in
Good Stories for Great Holidays; Star and the Water Lilies,
in Red Indian Fairy Book; Story of the Fringed Gentian, in
Beals, Flower Lore and Legend; Toinette and the Elves (Fern-
seed), in Dickinson and Skinner, Children's Book of Christmas
Stories; Violet, in Lum, Ancient Legends.
II
BIRD MYTHS AND TALES
Useful for Bird Day
Birds' Ball-Game, in Red Indian Fairy Book; Boy Who Be-
came a Robin, in Good Stories for Great Holidays, also in Red
Indian Fairy Book; Buzzard's Covering, in Canfield, Legends
of the Iroquois; Caliph Stork, in Lang, Green Fairy Book;
Children in the Wood (ballad), in Scudder, Children's Book;
Christmas Cuckoo, in Good Stories for Great Holidays, also in
APPENDIX 457
Browne, Granny's Wonderful Chair; Christmas in Norway, in
Story Telling Poems, also in Thaxter, Stories and Poems for
Children (title.The Sparrows) ; Crow and the Pitcher, in Scud-
der, Children's Book, also in his Fables and Folk Stories; Dove
Who Spoke Truth, in Good Stories for Great Holidays, also in
Brown, Curious Book of Birds; Early Girl, in Brown, Curious
Book of Birds; Greedy Geese, in Good Stories for Great Holi-
days; How Partridge Built the Birds' Canoes, in Red Indian
Fairy Book, also Leland, Algonquin Legends; How the Hunter
Became a Partridge, in Red Indian Fairy Book, also in Le-
land, Algonquin Legends; Jorinde and Joringel, in Lang, Green
Fairy Book, also in Scudder, Children's Book; Kind Hawk,
in Red Indian Fairy Book; King of the Birds, in Good Stories
for Great Holidays; The King, the Falcon, and the Drinking
Cup, in Riverside Fourth Reader, also in Dutton, Tortoise and
the Geese; Kweedass and Kindawiss, in Kennedy, New World
Fairy Book; Legend of the Swallows, in Young, Algonquin
Indian Tales; Little Friend, in Brown, Flower Princess, also
in Smith and Hazeltine, Christmas in Legend and Story; Little
Owl Boy, in Red Indian Fairy Book; Magpie's Nest, in Good
Stories for Great Holidays, also in Jacobs, English Fairy Tales;
Masquerading Crow, in Brown, Curious Book of Birds; Mrs.
Partridge's Babies, in Brown, Curious Book of Birds; Mrs.
Partridge's Errand, in Riverside Third Reader; Nightingale,
in Andersen, Wonder Stories Told for Children; Nightingale
and the Pearl, in The Jolly Book; Old Woman Who Became
a Woodpecker, in Good Stories for Great Holidays, also in
Cary, Ballads for Little Folk (title, Legend of the North-
land) ; Partridge and the Crow, in Dutton, Tortoise and the
Geese; Princet and the Golden Blackbird, in Baldwin, Fairy
Stories and Fables; Quails, in Riverside Fourth Reader; Rustic
and the Nightingale, in Dutton, Tortoise and the Geese; Saint
Kentigern and the Robin, in Brown, Book of Saints and
Friendly Beasts; Sparrow's Wedding, in Rinder, Old World
Japan; Story of the Oriole, in Holbrook, Book of Nature
Myths; Sunshine Stories (Swan), in Andersen, Wonder Stories
Told for Children; Swallow and the Other Birds, in Jacobs,
jEsop; Tale of Woodpecker and Blue Jay, in Macmillan, Ca-
nadian Wonder Tales; Tongue-cut Sparrow, in Good Stories
458 APPENDIX
for Great Holidays; Why the Peacock's Tail Has a Hundred
Eyes, in Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; Why the Wood-
pecker's Head is Red, in Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths;
Wild Swans, in Andersen, Wonder Stories Told for Children;
Woodpecker Gray, in Red Indian Fairy Book.
Ill
WATER MYTHS AND TALES
BROOKS, STREAMS, AND LAKES. Ahneah, the Rose Flower,
in Red Indian Fairy Book; Brook in the King's Garden, in
Alden, Why the Chimes Rang; Hidden Waters, in Red Indian
Fairy Book; King of the Golden River, Ruskin; Legend of Niag-
ara and the Great Lakes, in Red Indian Fairy Book; Not
Lost, but Gone Before, in Gatty, Parables from Nature;
Silver Brooches, in Red Indian Fairy Book; Stream that
Ran Away, in Good Stories for Great Holidays, also in Austin,
Basket Woman; Ten Little Indians, in Kennedy, New World
Fairy Book; Was it the First Turtle? in Holbrook, Book of
Nature Myths, also in Riverside Third Reader; Who Killed
the Otter's Babies? in Bryant, Stories to Tell to Children;
Why the Water in Rivers is Never Sail, in Holbrook, Book
of Nature Myths.
FISHES AND THINGS IN THE SEA. Fisher and the Little Fish,
in Jacobs, JEsop; Fisherman and his Wife, in Lang, Green
Fairy Book, also in Scudder, Children's Book and in his Fables
and Folk Stories; Fish Who Helped Saint Gudwall, in Brown,
Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts; Greediness Punished
(poem), in Story Telling Poems; How Kahukura Learned to
Make Nets, in Book of Elves and Fairies; Star Jewels (Star
fish), Brown; Story of the First Whitefish, in Holbrook,
Book of Nature Myths; Thor's Fishing, in Brown, In the Days
of Giants; Three Fish, in Dutton, Tortoise and the Geese; Why
the Sea is Salt, in Thorne-Thomsen, East o' the Sun and West
o' the Moon; Why the Sea-Turtle When Caught Beats its
Breast, in Barker and Sinclair, West African Folk-Tales.
ADVENTURES IN THE SEA. Deep-Sea Violets, in Harrison,
Old-Fashioned Fairy Book; Escaped Mermaid, in Rhys, Eng-
APPENDIX 459
lish Fairy Book; Good Man of Alloa, in Story Telling Poems;
Little Sea Maiden (The Little Mermaid), in Andersen, Won-
der Stories Told for Children; Mermaid of the Magdalenes,
in Macmillan, Canadian Wonder Tales; Mermaid's Child,
in Brown, Flower Princess; Story of the First Emeralds, in
Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; Tide Jewels, in Davis,
Myths and Legends of Japan; Undine, in Skinner, A. M. and
E. L., Turquoise Story Book.
IV
INSECTS: BEES, BUTTERFLIES, SPIDERS, ETC.
Ant and the Cricket, in Story Telling Poems, also in
Riverside Fourth Reader; Ant and the Snow, in Chandler, In
the Reign of Coyote; Arachne, in Peabody, Old Greek Folk
Stories; Bald Man and the Fly, in Jacobs, JEso'p; Bees and the
Flies, in Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; Butterfly, in
Andersen, Stories and Tales; Cobwebs, in Gatty, Parables
from Nature, also in Rhys, English Fairy Book; Cricket and
the Cougar, in Chandler, In the Reign of Coyote; Fairy Gifts,
(Butterflies), in Lang, Green Fairy Book; Goats in the Rye
Field (Bees), in Esenwein and Stockard, Children's Stories
and How to Tell Them; Golden Cobwebs (Spiders), Bryant,
How to Tell Stories to Children; Golden Grasshopper, in
Skinner, A. M. and E. L., Turquoise Story Book; Great Mos-
quito, in Canfield, Legends of the Iroquois; How the Bees
Got Their Stings, in Young, Algonquin Indian Tales; How
Yogodayu Won a Battle (Bees), in Gordon Smith, Ancient
Tales and Folklore of Japan; Jupiter and the Bee, JEsop
Fables; Lesson of Faith, in Good Stories from Great Holidays,
also in Gatty, Parables from Nature; Little Red Princess
(Ants), in Bailey, Tell Me Another Story; Pitcher the Witch
(Mosquitoes), in Red Indian Fairy Book; Princess Moon-
beam (Fireflies), in Lyman, Story Telling; Queen Bee, in
Young and Field, Literary Reader, No. 3; Spider and the Bee,
in Young and Field, Literary Reader No. 2; Three Little
Butterfly Brothers, in Good Stories for Great Holidays; What
Happened to the Bees That Tried to Steal Honey, in Young,
Algonquin Indian Tales; Why the Mosquito Hates Smoke,
in Chandler, In the Reign of Coyote.
460 APPENDIX
v
WILD CREATURES OF FOREST AND FIELD
BEARS. Scrapefoot, in Esenwein and Stockard, Children's
Stories and How to Tell Them; Three Bears, in Bryant, How
to Tell Stories to Children; also in Jacobs, English Fairy Tales;
and in Scudder, Children's Book; and Lang, Green Fairy
Book; Ugly Wild Boy, in Red Indian Fairy Book; Why the
Bear Sleeps All Winter, in Cowles, Art of Story-Telling.
LIONS. Infant Heracles, and, Heracles the Lion-Slayer,
Idyls 24 and 25 in Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus, trans, by
Lang ; Lion and the Mouse, in Esenwein and Stockard, Chil-
dren's Stories and How to Tell Them, also in Scudder, Chil-
dren's Book; Lion in Love, in Jacobs, Msoy, also in Scudder,
Children's Book; Lion's Share, in Jacobs, JEsop; Saint Gerasi-
mus and the Lion, in Brown, Book of Saints and Friendly
Beasts.
RABBITS. Bad Wild Cat, in Red Indian Fairy Book; How
Master Rabbit Went Fishing, in Red Indian Fairy Book, also
in Leland, Algonquin Legends; Little White Rabbit, in Skin-
ner, A. M. and E. L., Nursery Tales from Many Lands; Timid
Hares, in Young and Field, Literary Reader, No. 2; Tortoise
and the Hare, in Scudder, Children's Book, also in his Fables
and Folk Stories; Why the Rabbit is Timid, in Hotbrook,
Book of Nature Myths; Witch That was a Hare, in Rhys,
English Fairy Book.
WOLVES. Boy Who Cried Wolf, in Bryant, Stories to Tell
to Children; Gunniwolf, in Harper, Story-Hour Favorites;
Little Red Riding-Hood, in Scudder, Children's Book, also in
his Fables and Folk Stories; Saint Bridget and the King's
Wolf, in Brown, Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts; Wolf in
Sheep's Clothing, in Scudder, Children's Book; Wolf and the
Kid, in Jacobs, dEsop. t
ANIMAL FRIENDS, AND OTHERS. Adventures of Visu
(Foxes), in Davis, Myths and Legends of Japan; Calydonian
APPENDIX 461
Hunt, in Peabody, Old Greek Folk Stories; Elephant's Child,
in Kipling, Just So Stories; Forest Full of Friends, in Alden,
Why The Chimes Rang; How the Camel Got his Hump, in
Kipling, Just So Stories; Meleager and Atalanta, in Storr,
Half-a-Hundred Stories; Mowgli's Brothers, Kaa's Hunting,
Tiger! Tiger! in Kipling, Jungle Book; Noisy Chipmunk, in
Red Indian Fairy Book; White-Footed Deer (poem), in
Story Telling Poems; also in Riverside Fifth Reader; Young-
Boy-Chief, in Red Indian Fairy Book.
VI
FRUIT MYTHS AND TALES
Atalanta's Race (Apples), in Peabody, Old Greek Folk
Stories: Elves (Strawberries), in Good Stories for Great Holi-
days; Fox and the Grapes, in Scudder, Children's Book, also
in his Fables and Folk Stories, and in Jacobs, JEsop; How
the Springtime Came (Idun and her Apples), in Baldwin,
Story of Siegfried; Iduna's Apples, in Tappan, Myths from
Many Lands; Legend of the Blackberry, in Skinner, C. M.,
Myths and Legends of Flowers, etc.; Magic Apples, in Brown,
In the Days of Giants; Three Citrons, in Laboulaye, Fairy
Book; Wonderful Pear-Tree, in Giles, Chinese Fairy Tales.
VII
SKY STORIES: CLOUDS, WIND, SUN, MOON, ETC.
CLOUDS AND RAIN. Aqua, or the Water Baby, in Wiggin
and Smith, Story Hour; Cloud, in Bryant, Stories to Tell to
Children; Hofus the Stone Cutter, in Riverside Third Reader,
also in Good Stories for Great Holidays, and in Shedlock,
Art of the Story-Teller; Little Niebla, in Book of Elves and
Fairies, also in Hudson, Purple Land; Little Water-Drop's
Journey, in Wright, With the Little Folks; Uncle Rain and
Brother Drought, in Riverside Fourth Reader; Water Drop,
in Good Stories for Great Holidays.
RAINBOW AND AURORA BOREALIS. Bag of Gold at the Rain-
bow's End (title, Buttercup), in Btals, Flower Lore and
462 APPENDIX
Legend; Land of the Northern Lights, in Red Indian Fairy
Book; Little Dawn Boy and the Rainbow Trail, in Red Indian
Fairy Book; Northern Lights, in Macmillan, Canadian Won-
der Tales; Rainbow Bridge, in Young and Field, Literary
Reader No. 2; Pot of Gold, in Coe, Second Book of Stories for
the Story-Teller, also in Scudder, Dream Children.
WIND TALES. Foolish Weathercock, in Riverside Second
Reader; Four Winds, in Canfield, Legends of the Iroquois; How
the Four Winds Were Named, in Red Indian Fairy Book;
Lad Who Went to the North Wind, Thorne-Thomsen, East
o' the Sun and West o' the Moon; Legend of the North Wind,
in Coe, First Book of Stories for the Story- Teller; Sun and the
Wind, in Bryant, Stories to Tell to Children; Wind-Blower, in
Red Indian Fairy Book.
SUN AND MOON. Apollo's Sister (Diana and End ymion), in
Peabody, Old Greek Folk Stories; Astounding Voyage of Dan-
iel O'Rourke (Moon), in Jolly Book; Bamboo Cutter and the
Moon-Maiden, in Davis, Myths and Legends of Japan; Boy in
the Moon, in Red Indian Fairy Book; Crab and the Moon, in
the Riverside Third Reader; East o' the Sun, and West o' the
Moon, Thorne-Thomsen; Frog in the Moon, in Chandler, In
the Reign of Coyote; How the Sun, the Moon, and the Wind
Went Out to Dinner, in Coe, Second Book of Stories for the
Story-Teller; Little Daylight, in Bryant, How to Tell Stories to
Children, also in Macdonald, Back of the North Wind; Mouse
and the Sun, in Macmillan, Canadian Wonder Tales; Phaeton,
in Peabody, Old Greek Folk Stories; Scar-Face (Sun), in Red
Indian Fairy Book; Story of Little Tavwots (Sun), in Bryant,
How to Tell Stories to Children; Sun's Sisters, in Bailey and
Lewis, For the Children's Hour.
STARS. Coyote's Ride on a Star, in Chandler, In the Reign
of Coyote; Great Bear and the Little Bear, in Coe, First Book
of Stories for the Story-Tetter; How the Fairies Came, in Red
Indian Fairy Book; Legend of the Dipper, in Esenwein and
Stockard, Children's Stories and How to Tell Them, also in
Bailey and Lewis, For the Children's Hour; Legend of the
APPENDIX 463
Morning Star, in Red Indian Fairy Book; Legends of the
Pleiades, in Red Indian Fairy Book; Sky Elk, in Red Indian
Fairy Book; Star and the Water Lilies, in Red Indian Fairy
Book; Star Bride, in Red Indian Fairy Book; Star Dollars,
in Bryant, How to Tell Stories to Children; Star-Lovers, in
Tappan, Myths from Many Lands, also in Kinder, Old World
Japan; Twin Stars, in Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths.
VIII
FIRE LEGENDS AND TALES OF GOLD
Useful for Labour Day
FIRE AND FORGE. Arms of ^Eneas, in Church, Stories from
Virgil; Burg Hill 's on Fire, in Good Stories for Great Holidays,
also in Grierson, Children's Book of Celtic Stories (title, Good
Housewife) ; Dwarf's Gifts, in Brown, In the Days of Giants,
also in Tappan, Myths from Many Lands Firebird, in Red
Indian Fairy Book, also in Gask, Legends of Our Little
Brothers; Fire Bringer, in Austin, Basket Woman, also in
Bryant, How to Tell Stories to Children; Forging of Balmung,
in Baldwin, Hero Tales; How Fire Was Brought to the
Indians in Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; King of the
Clinkers, in Riverside Fourth Reader; Making of the Hammer,
in Riverside Fifth Reader; Mimer the Master, in Baldwin,
Story of Siegfried; Tuba Cain (poem), in Riverside Fifth
Reader, also in Story Telling Poems; Story of Prometheus,
in Baldwin, Old Greek Stories; Wren Who Brought Fire, in
Brown, Curious Book of Birds.
GOLD. Bad Boy and the Leprechaun, in Book of Elves and
Fairies; Boy Who Found the Pots of Gold, in Book of Elves
and Fairies; Curse of Gold-Regin's Tale, in Baldwin, Story
of Siegfried; Dust Under the Rug, in Lindsay, Mother Stories,
also in Coe, Second Book of Stories for the Story-Teller;
Greedy Old Man, in Book of Elves and Fairies; Honest Wood'
man, in Cowles, Art of Story-Telling; Hoard of the Elves, in
Baldwin, Hero Tales; Metal King, in Good Stories for Great
Holidays; Ragweed, in Book of Elves and Fairies.
464 APPENDIX
IX
WINTER: ICE, SNOW, FROST
Brother and Sister, in Red Indian Fairy Book; Cheerful
Glacier, in Austin, Basket Woman; Ethelinda; or, The Ice
King's Bride, in Harrison, Old-Fashioned Fairy Book; Frost
Spirit, Whittier, in his Poems; Ice King, in Skinner, A. M.
and E. L., Pearl Story Book; Jowiis, and the Eagle, in Red
Indian Fairy Book; King Winter's Harvest, in Skinner, A. M.
and E. L., Pearl Story Book; Little Match Girl, in Good
Stories for Great Holidays, also in Andersen, Stories and Tales;
Mother Holle, in Lang, Red Fairy Book; Shingebiss, in Red
Indian Fairy Book; Silvercap, King of the Frost Fairies, in
Bailey and Lewis, For the Children's Hour; Snow Image, in
Hawthorne, Dq/ydoumdilly; Snow Man, in Red Indian Fairy
Book; Snow Queen, in Andersen, Wonder Stories Told for
Children; Story of Bumps, in Phillips, Wee Ann.
TREE MYTHS AND TALES
Useful for Arbor Day
Anxious Leaf, in Bailey and Lewis, For the Children's
Hour; Balder and the Mistletoe, in Brown, In the Days of
Giants, also in Tappan, Myths from Many Lands; Baucis
and Philemon, in Good Stories for Great Holidays, also in
Storr, Half-a-Hundred Hero Tales; Carob, in Skinner, C. M.,
Myths and Legends of Flowers, etc., also hi Isaacs, Stories
from the Rabbis (title, Rip Van Winkle of the Talmud);
Christmas Tree, in Austin, Basket Woman; Dryad of the Old
Oak, in Good Stories for Great Holidays; First Pine Trees, in
Red Indian Fairy Book; Girl Who Became a Pine Tree, in
Judd, Wigwam Stories; Horse and the Olive, in Baldwin, Old
Greek Stories; How Maple-Sugar Came, in Red Indian Fairy
Book, also in Young, Algonquin Indian Tales; Karl and the
Dryad, in Brown, Star Jewels; Little Tree that Longed for
Other Leaves, in Good Stories for Great Holidays; Maple-Leaf
and the Violet, in Wiggin and Smith, Story Hour; Maple
Seed, in Skinner, A. M. and E. L., Emerald Story Book;
Mishosha, or The Enchanted Sugar-Maple, in Red Indian
APPENDIX 465
Fairy Book; Old Pipes and the Dryad, in Stockton, Bee-man
of Orn, also in Lyman, Story Telling, and in Young ancf
Field, Literary Reader, No. 4; Plucky Prince, in Story Telling
Poems; Proud Oak Tree, in Good Stories for Great Holidays;
Silver Spoons in the Poplar Tree, in Skinner, C. M., Myths
and Legends of Flowers, etc. ; Simon and the Black Gum Tree,
in Skinner, A. M. and E. L., Nursery Tales from Many Lands;
Sugar Pine, in Austin, Basket Woman; Thunder Oak, in Good
Stories for Great Holidays; Two Little Maple Leaves, in
Wright, With the Little Folks; Spirit of the Willow Tree, in
Gordon Smith, Ancient Tales and Folk-lore of Japan; Wakon-
tas, in Young, Algonquin Indian Tales; Why the Juniper
Has Berries, in Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; Wonder
Tree, in Good Stories for Great Holidays.
XI
FARM WONDERS
FARM DOINGS. Admetus and the Shepherd, in Peabody,
Old Greek Folk Stories; Barney Noonan's Fairy Haymakers,
in Esenwein and Stockard, Children's Stories and How to Tell
Them; Blanche and Rose, in Book of Elves and Fairies; Bog-
gart, in Book of Elves and Fairies; Elsa and the Ten Elves, in
Book of Elves and Fairies; Farmer, the Sheep, and the Rob-
bers, in Dutton, Tortoise and the Geese; Four-Leaved Clover,
in Book of Elves and Fairies; Little One-Eye, Little Two-
Eyes, and Little Three-Eyes, in Scudder, Children's Book,
also in his Fables and Folk Stories, also in Lang, Green Fairy
Book; Nail, in Riverside Fourth Reader; Piskey Fine! Piskey
Gay ! in Book of Elves and Fairies; Plowman Who Found Con-
tent, in Cowles, Art of Story-Telling; Tom Thumb, in Esen-
wein and Stockard, Children's Stories and How to Tell Them,
also in Scudder, Children's Book; Toy of the Giant's Child, in
Story Telling Poems; Wish Ring, in Fairy Stories Retold from
St. Nicholas; Wood-Lady, in Book of Elves and Fairies.
HARVEST AND CROPS. Adzanumee and her Mother, in
Barker and Sinclair, West African Folk-Tales; Ears of Wheat,
in Good Stories for Great Holidays; Fairy of the Cotton Plant,
466 APPENDIX
in Skinner, C. M., Myths and Legends of Flowers, etc.; Flax,
in Andersen, Wonder Stories Told for Children; Gift of Flax,
in Skinner, A. M. and E. L., Turquoise Story Book; How Flax
was Given to Men, in Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; How
Indian Corn Came into the World, in Good Stories for Great
Holidays, also in Red Indian Fairy Book; How Wry-face
Played a Trick (Potatoes), in Coe, Second Book of Stories for
the Story -Teller; Jack and the Bean-stalk, in Scudder, Chil-
dren's Book, also in Jacobs, English Fairy Tales; Legend of
the Radish, in Skinner, C. M., Myths and Legends of Flowers,
etc. ; Little Corn Bringer, in Red Indian Fairy Book; Master
of the Harvest, in Good Stories for Great Holidays; Quick-
running Squash, in Aspinwall, Short Stories for Short People;
Potatoes' Dance (poem), in Lindsay, Chinese Nightingale;
Potato Supper, in Book of Elves and Fairies; Spirit of the
Corn, in Red Indian Fairy Boole; Why the Bean has a
Stripe Down its Back, in Bailey and Lewis, For the Chil-
dren's Hour; Wise Sachem's Gift, in Canfield, Legends of the
Iroquois.
ADVENTURES OF BARNYARD FOLK. Billy Beg and His Bull,
in McManus, Donegal Fairy Tales, also in Bryant, How to
Tell Stories to Children; Chicken Licken, in O'Grady, Story-
Teller's Book, also in Scudder, Children's Book; Curmudgeon's
Skin, in Book of Elves and Fairies; Cock, the Mouse, and the
Little Red Hen, Lefevre, also hi Riverside Second Reader;
Cock and the Fox, hi Darton, Tales of the Canterbury Pil-
grims; Fox and the Cock, in Esenwein and Stockard, Chil-
dren's Stories and How to Tell Them; Dumpy the Pony, in
Lindsay, More Mother Stories; Eight-Footed Slipper, in Bald-
win, Wonder-Book of Horses; Enchanted Pig, in Lang, Red
Fairy Book; Golden Goose, Tappan; Goose with the Golden
Eggs, hi Jacobs, JEsop; Grandfather Pig's Spectacles, in
Wright, With the Little Folks; Greyfell, in Baldwin, Story of
Siegfried; Little Half Chick, in Bryant, Stories to Tell to Chil-
dren, also in Esenwein and Stockard, Children's Stories and
How to Tell Them; Miller, His Son, and Their Ass, in Jacobs,
Msop; Milk-White Calf, hi Book of Elves and Fairies; Mud
Pony, in Red Indian Fairy Book; Old Woman and her Pig,
APPENDIX 467
In Bryant, How to Tell Stories to Children, also in O'Grady,
Story-Teller's Book; Piggywee's Little Curly Tail, in Wright,
With the Little Folks; Poor Turkey Girl, in Red Indian Fairy
Book, also in Gushing, Zuni Folk-Tales; Story of lo, in Bald-
win, Old Greek Stories; Straw Ox, in Skinner A. M. and E. L.,
Nursery Tales from Many Lands; Teenchy Duck, in Coe,
Second Book of Stories for the Story -Teller; Three Little Pigs,
in Bryant, How to Tell Stories to Children, also in Jacobs,
English Fairy Tales; Three Billy Goats Gruff, in Esenwein
and Stockard, Children's Stories and How to Tell Them, also
in Riverside Second Reader, and in Thorn e-Thomsen, East o'
the Sun and West o' the Moon; Ugly Duckling, in Andersen,
Wonder Stories Told for Children; White Cat, in Scudder,
Children's Book, also in his Fables and Folk Stories; Why the
Turkey Gobbles, in Red Indian Fairy Book.
XII
THE SEASONS AND THE MONTHS
Black Steeds of Aidoneus, in Baldwin, Wonder-Book of
Horses; Boy Who Discovered the Spring, in Alden, Why the
Chimes Rang; Chestnut Boys, in Poulsson, In the Child's
World; How Summer Came to Canada, in Macmillan, Ca-
nadian Wonder Tales; How Summer Came to the Earth, in
Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; Mailcoach Passengers, in
Good Stories for Great Holidays, also in Andersen, Wonder
Stories Told for Children; Miss November's Dinner Party, in
Dickinson, Children's Book of Thanksgiving Stories; Months,
in Tileston, Children's Treasure Trove of Pearls; Nipon and
the King of the Northland, in Skinner, A. M. and E. L.,
Topaz Story Book; Spring and Autumn Lover, in James,
Green Willow; Summer Fairies, in Red Indian Fairy Book,
also in Leland, Algonquin Legends; Twelve Months, in Good
Stories for Great Holidays; Wood-Folk, in Peabody, Old Greek
Folk Stories.
SUBJECT INDEX FOR STORY-TELLERS
SUBJECT INDEX FOR STORY-TELLERS
ADONIS: Anemone and the Rose, 64.
jEcis, THE: Boy Who Caught Flies, 172; Winged Horse, 397.
AEOLUS: Bag of Winds, 268; Halcyon Birds, 264.
AFFECTION AND LOVE: Drop of the Water of Light, 258; Goldenrod,
136; Halcyon Birds, 264; King Picus the Woodpecker, 87; Little
Princess White Chicory, 131; Little White Daisy, 134; Magic
Strawberries, 199; Morning-Glory Fan, 175; Orpheus Who Made
the Trees to Dance, 320; Story that the Buttercups Told, 130;
White Flowering Almond, 319; Why the Pewee Looks for Brother,
81; Wind in the Pine, 326.
AGLAIA: Why Crocus Holds up his Golden Cup, 107.
ALCINOUS: Bag of Winds, 268.
ALMONDS: White Flowering Almond, 319.
ALPHEUS: Arethusa, 148.
ANEMONES: Anemone and the Rose, 64; Frail Windflower, 108; "The
air is soft" (poem), 122.
ANGELS: Christmas Thorn, 36; How Moss-Roses Came, 71 ; How the
First Snowdrop Came, 303.
ANIMAL FRIENDS: Arion and the Dolphin, 232; "Her angel's face"
(poem), 180; "My old Welsh neighbour " (poem), 78; Old-Man-
Who-Made-the-Trees-to-Blossom, 315; Pan's Song, 100; Peach
Boy's Rice-Cakes, 371; Turkey-Given Corn, 360.
ANTS: Nightingale and the Rose, 74.
APOLLO: Clytie, the Heliotrope, 21; Daphne, 333; Fruit on the Rose-
Bush, 118; Hyacinth, 14; Reeds that Told a Secret, 421 ; Rose-Tree
Queen, 67; Stone that Shed Tears, 145; Wood-Violet that was a
Maiden, 127.
APPLES: Apple of Discord, 209; Fruit on the Rose-Bush, 118; Golden
Apples of the Hesperides, 205; Idun and the Magic Apples, 215;
Little Nymph Who Rang the Bells, 114; "The Golden Apple, the
Golden Apple" (poem), 198; Wooing of Pomona, 434.
ARETHUSA: Arethusa, 148; "Arethusa arose" (poem), 144; Hundred-
Headed Daffodil, 424.
ARION: Arion and the Dolphin, 232.
ASSES' EARS: Reeds that Told a Secret, 421.
ATLAS: Golden Apples of the Hesperides, 205; Little Nymph Who
Rang the Bells, 114.
AURORA (GREEK NAME Eos) : Tithonus, the Grasshopper, 174.
472 SUBJECT INDEX
AUTUMN STORIES: Goldenrod, 136; Little Nymph Who Loved Bright
Colours, 11; Maple Leaf For Ever, 330; "So forth issued the Sea-
sons of the Year," 412; Wooing of Pomona, 434. See also APPLES;
CORN; FRUITS.
BACCHUS (OTHER NAME DIONYSUS): Fruit on the Rose-Bush, 118;
Golden Gift of King Midas, 275; Why the Pomegranate WTears a
Crown and Royal Robes, 202.
BEES: Cupid Punished, 62; Gleam-'o-Day, 155; Rose-Tree Queen,
67; " Then came we to great breadths of shady wood" (poem), 54;
Why Roses have Thorns, 62; Why Unlucky Iron Kills, 290.
BELLEROPHON: Winged Horse, 397.
BELIJS: Little White Daisy, 134. See also DAISIES.
BIRDS AND BIRD DAY: Boy that the Eagle Stole, 95; Girl Who Trod
on a Loaf, 404; Greedy Blackbird, 83; Halcyon Birds, 264; Idun
and the Magic Apples, 215; King Picus the Woodpecker, 87; King
Suleyman and the Nightingale, 73; Magpie Maidens, 90; Mariora
Floriora, 430; "My old Welsh neighbour over the way" (poem),
78; Nightingale and the Rose, 74; Pan's Song, 100; Spice Bird, 85;
Sultana of the Flowers, 72; Why Crows Caw, 81; Why the
Little Bird that Brags Cries Cuckoo! 80; Why the Owl Cries
Hoot! Hoot! 79; Why the Pewee Looks for Brother, 81; Why
Venus Liked Doves, 57.
BLACKBIRDS: Greedy Blackbird, 83.
BLUEBELLS, see CAMPANULA.
BOREAS: Frail Windflower, 108.
BROTHERS AND SISTERS: Jack and Jill, 252; Magpie Maidens, 90;
Prince Fireshine and Prince Firefade, 227; Seven Corn Maidens,
381 ; White Hare of Inaba, 181 ; Why the Pewee Looks for Brother,
81.
BURDOCK: Old Witch Who was a Burr, 137.
BUTTERCUPS (OTHER NAME, KINGCUPS) : Story that the Buttercups
Told, 130; "The air is soft" (poem), 122; Why the Frogs Call the
Buttercups, 132.
BUTTERFLIES: "A Wild-Rose Tree" (poem), 154; Marigold Arrows,
116; Prince Butterfly and Clover Blossom, 161; Rose-Tree
Queen, 67.
CALLIOPE: Magpie Maidens, 90.
CAMELLIAS: Maiden of the White Camellias, 40.
CAMPANULA: Little Nymph Who Rang the Bells, 114.
CAMPION (OTHER NAME CATCHFLY) : Boy Who Caught Flies, 172.
CERBERUS: Golden Apples of the Hesperides, 205; Hundred-Headed
Daffodil, 424; Orpheus Who Made the Trees to Dance, 320.
SUBJECT INDEX 473
CERES (GREEK NAME DEMETER): Arethusa, 148; Erysichthon the
Hungry, 323; Hundred-Headed Daffodil, 424.
CHICORY: Little Princess White Chicory, 131.
CHIMJERA: Winged Horse, 397.
CHRISTMAS Day : Christmas Thorn, 36.
CHRYSANTHEMUMS: Chrysanthemum Children, 47; Maiden White
and Maiden Yellow, 50.
CIRCE: Enchanted Swine, 389; King Picus the Woodpecker, 87.
CLEANLINESS: Beauty of the Lily, 32.
CLOUDS: "I bring fresh showers" (poem), 244; Mariora Floriora,
430; Ram with the Golden Fleece, 383.
CLOVER: Prince Butterfly and Clover Blossom, 161.
CLYTIE: Clytie, the Heliotrope, 21; "I will not have the mad
Clytie" (poem), 54.
COLOUR STORIES: Colours of the Rainbow, 257; Dandelion Fairies,
128; Lilies White, 111; Little Nymph Who Loved Bright Colours,
11; Maple Leaf For Ever, 330; Pet Turkey, 366; Red Roses of
Nectar, 56; Sultana of the Flowers, 72; How Pansies Came Col-
oured, 57; Why the Iris Wears Rainbow Colours, 245; Why the
Pomegranate Wears a Crown and Royal Robes, 202; Why the
Snow is White, 302; Wooing of Pomona, 434.
CORN: "All around the happy village" (poem), 338; Cornflower
Youth, 113; Farmer Mybrow, 342; Heart's Ease, 28; Hundred-
Headed Daffodil, 424; Legend of the Corn, 381; Pet Turkey, 366;
Seven Corn Maidens, 376; Turkey-Given Corn, 360.
CORNFLOWERS: Cornflower Youth, 113.
COURAGEOUS ADVENTURE: Dragon Sin, 29.
COWSLIPS: Fairy Cowslips, 140; "The air is soft," 122.
CROCUS: Why Crocus Holds up his Golden Cup, 107.
CROWS: Why Crows Caw, 81.
CUCKOO: Why the Little Bird that Brags Cries Cuckoo! 80.
CUPID: Adventures of Cupid Among the Roses, 55; Anemone and
the Rose, 64; Daphne, 333; Hundred-Headed Daffodil, 424; "Then
came we to great breadths of shady wood" (poem), 54.
CYANE: W'eeping Waters, 146.
D.EDALUS: Boy Whose Wings Fell Off, 249.
DAFFODILS: Echo and Narcissus, 16; Hundred-Headed Daffodil, 424.
DAISIES: Little White Daisy, 134; "Next followed on the Fairy
Nobles" (poem), 122; "The Daisy scattered on each mead and
down" (poem), 106.
DANDELIONS: Dandelion Fairies, 128.
DAPHNE: Daphne, 333.
DEER: Why the Deer Have Antlers, 190.
474 SUBJECT INDEX
DEMOPHOON! White Flowering Almond, 319.
DEW: Chrysanthemum Children, 47; Daughter of the Laurel, 317;
Mariora Floriora, 430; Seven Corn Maidens, 376.
DIANA (GREEK NAME ARTEMIS): How Pansies Came Coloured, 57;
Rose-Tree Queen, 67; Stone that Shed Tears, 145; Wood-Violet
that was a Maiden, 127.
DISCORD (GREEK XAME ERIS) : Apple of Discord, 209.
DOGS: Old-Man-Who-Made-the-Trees-to-Blossom, 315; Why Dogs
Have Long Tongues, 347; Witch Cat, 345.
DOLPHINS: Apple of Discord, 209; Arion and the Dolphin, 232.
DOMINION- DAT (CANADA) : Maple Leaf For Ever, 330.
DOVES: Why Venus Liked Doves, 57.
DRYADS: Fruit on the Rose-Bush, 118; Little White Daisy, 134.
DUCKS: Duck-Feather Man, 353.
DUTY AND NEGLECT OF DUTY: Beauty of the Lily, 32; Blush-Rose
and the Sun, 70; Boy Who Caught Flies, 172; Colours of the Rain-
bow, 257; Little Nymph Who Rang the Bells, 114; Maiden in the
Moon, 256; Mariora Floriora, 430.
EAGLES: Boy that the Eagle Stole, 95; Idun and the Magic Apples,
215; Man Who Brought Fire, 287.
EASTER, see RESURRECTION DAY.
ECHO: Echo and Narcissus, 16.
ELEPHANTS: Tiger and the Man, 183.
ERYSICHTHON : Erysichthon the Hungry, 323.
EUPHROSYNE: Why Crocus Holds up his Golden Cup, 107.
EUROPA: Snow-White Bull, 400.
EURYDICE: Orpheus Who Made the Trees to Dance, 320.
FAIR PLAY! Why the Deer Have Antlers, 190.
FARMING, see SCHOOL GARDENS AND FARMING.
FAUNS: Little Nymph Who Loved Bright Colours, 11; WTooing of
Pomona, 434.
FIRE: Little White Rabbit, 278; Man Who Brought Fire, 287; WTiy
the Owl Cries Hoot! Hoot! 79; Why Unlucky Iron Kills, 290.
FIREFLIES: "Firefly! Firefly!" (poem), 154; Morning-Glory Fan,
175; Prince Golden-Firefly, 158.
FISH AND FISHING : Arion and the Dolphin, 232; Fisherboy Urashima,
223; Prince Fireshine and Prince Firefade, 227.
FLIES: Boy Who Caught Flies, 172.
FLORA (GREEK NAME CHLORIS) : Cornflower Youth, 113; Frail Wind-
flower, 108; Fruit on the Rose-Bush, 118; Lilies White, 111; Little
Nymph Who Rang the Bells, 114; Marigold Arrows, 116; Prim-
rose Son, 110; "The Daisy scattered on each mead and down"
SUBJECT INDEX 475
(poem), 106; "The Foxglove on fair Flora's hand" (poem), 106;
Why Crocus Holds up his Golden Cup, 107.
FLOWERS AND MAY DAY: "A bit of the sky" (poem), dedicatory
page; Adventures of Cupid among the Roses, 55; Anemone and the
Rose, 64; "A Wild-Rose Tree" (poem), 154; Bad Poppy-Seeds, 24;
Beauty of the Lily, 32; Blush-Rose and the Sun, 70; Chrysanthe-
mum Children, 47; Clytie, the Heliotrope, 21; Cup of Thanksgiv-
ing (Roses), 31; Dandelion Fairies, 128; Dragon Sin (Lilies-of-
the- Valley), 29; Echo and Narcissus, 16; Fairy Cowslips, 140; For-
get-me-not! 39; Fox in Gloves, 141; Goldenrod, 136; Heart's Ease,
28; " Here are Sweet-Peas " (poem), 6; How Moss-Roses Came, 71 ;
How Pansies Came Coloured, 57 ; How the First Snowdrop Came,
303; Hundred-Headed Daffodil, 424; Hyacinth, 14; "I will not
have the mad Clytie" (poem), 54; "Jealous girls" (poem), 6;
Little Nymph Who Loved Bright Colours (Tulips), 11; Little
Princess White Chicory, 131; Little White Daisy, 134; Maiden of
the White Camellias, 40; Maiden White and Maiden Yellow
(Chrysanthemums), 50; Mignonette Fairy, 26; Morning-Glory
Fan, 175; "Next followed on the Fairy Nobles" (poem), 122;
Nightingale and the Rose, 74; "Now all fair things come to
light " (poem), 6; Old-Man-Who-Made-the-Trees-to-Blossom, 315;
Pan's Lovely Maid (Foxgloves), 142; Pan's Song, 100; Pansy-
Boy, 23; Prince Butterfly and Clover Blossom, 161; Princess
Peony, 44; Rose-Tree Queen, 67; Snowdrop Fairy, 7; Snow-
White Bull, 400; Story that the Buttercups Told, 130; Sultana
of the Flowers (Roses), 72; "The Daisy scattered on each
mead and down" (poem), 106; Trailing Arbutus, 123; White
Flowering Almond, 319; Why the Iris Wears Rainbow Colours,
245; Why the Snow is White, 302; Venus's Looking Glass, 59.
See also FLORA.
FORGET-ME-NOTS: "A bit of the sky" (poem), dedicatory page; For-
get me-not! 39.
FOXGLOVES: Fox in Gloves, 141; Pan's Lovely Maid, 142; "The
Foxglove on fair Flora's hand" (poem), 106.
FROGS: Why the Frogs Call the Buttercups, 132.
FROST: Garden of Frost Flowers, 304.
FRUITS: Apple of Discord, 209; Fruit on the Rose-Bush, 118; Golden
Apples of the Hesperides, 205; Golden Strawberries, 201; Idun
and the Magic Apples, 215; Little Nymph Who Loved Bright
Colours, 11 ; Little Nymph Who Rang the Bells, 114; Magic Straw-
berries, 199; Peach Boy's Rice-Cakes, 371 ; Tantalizing Fruits, 204;
"The Golden Apple, the Golden Apple" (poem), 198; Why the
Pomegranate Wears a Crown and Royal Robes, 202; Wooing of
Pomona, 434.
476 SUBJECT INDEX
GANYMEDE: Apple of Discord, 209; Boy that the Eagle Stole, 95.
GENEROSITY: Golden Strawberries, 201; Heart's Ease, 28; Why the
Snow is White, 302.
GOLDEN FLEECE: Little Hylas, 150; Ram with the Golden Fleece,
383.
GOLDENROD: Goldenrod, 136.
GOLD, LOVE OF: Flower of the Rainbow, 246; Golden Gift of King
Midas, 275; Greedy Blackbird, 83; Magic Strawberries, 199;
Wicked Fairies, 283.
GRACES, THE: Why Crocus Holds up his Golden Cup, 107.
GRANDMOTHERS: Little White Rabbit, 278; Story that the Butter-
cups Told, 130.
GRASSHOPPERS: Tithonus, the Grasshopper, 174.
HADES: Hundred-Headed Daffodil, 424; Orpheus Who Made the
Trees to Dance, 320.
HALCYONE: Halcyon Birds, 264.
HALLOWEEN: see WITCHES AND ENCHANTRESSES.
HARPIES: Ram with the Golden Fleece, 383; Why the Iris Wears
Rainbow Colours, 245.
HEBE: Boy that the Eagle Stole, 95.
HELEN: Apple of Discord, 209.
HELIOTROPE: Clytie, the Heliotrope, 21.
HELLE AND THE HELLESPONT: Ram with the Golden Fleece,
383.
HERCULES (GREEK NAME HERACLES) : Golden Apples of the Hesper-
ides, 205; Little Hylas, 150.
HESPERIDES: Golden Apples of the Hesperides, 205; Little Nymph
Who Rang the Bells, 114; "The Golden Apple, the Golden Apple"
(poem), 198.
HUMILITY: Maiden White and Maiden Yellow, 50.
HYACINTHS: Hyacinth, 14.
HYLAS: Little Hylas, 150.
IANTHIS: Wood- Violet that was a Maiden, 127.
ICARUS: Boy Whose Wings Fell Off, 249.
IDUN: Idun and the Magic Apples, 215.
INDUSTRY: Nightingale and the Rose, 74.
INSECTS: "A Wild-Rose Tree " (poem), 154; Boy Who Caught Flies,
172; Cupid Punished (Bees), 62; "Firefly! Firefly!" (poem), 154;
Gleam-o'-Day (Bees), 155; Ladybird! Ladybird! 171; Morning-
Glory Fan (Fireflies), 175; Prince Butterfly and Clover Blossom,
161 ; Prince Golden Firefly, 158; "Then came we to great breadths
of shady wood " (poem), 54; Tithonus, the Grasshopper, 174; Why
SUBJECT INDEX 477
Roses Have Thorns (Bees), 62; Why Unlucky Iron Kills (Bees and
Wasps), 290.
IPHIS: Stony Maid, 437.
JACK AND JILL: Jack and Jill, 252.
JASON: Little Hylas, 150; Ram with the Golden Fleece, 383.
JOSEPH OF ARMATHEA: Christmas Thorn, 36.
JUNO (GREEK NAME HERA): Apple of Discord, 209; Golden Apples
of the Hesperides, 205; Why the Iris Wears Rainbow Colours, 245.
JUPITER (GREEK NAME ZEUS): Apple of Discord, 209; Boy that
the Eagle Stole, 95; Hundred-Headed Daffodil, 424; Man Who
Brought Fire, 287; Snow-White Bull, 400; Tantalizing Fruits, 204;
Tithonus, the Grasshopper, 174.
KINDNESS aND GOODNESS: Chrysanthemum Children, 47; Drop of
the Water of Light, 258; Golden Strawberries, 201; Heart's Ease,
28; Mignonette Fairy, 26; Old-Man-Who-Made-the-Trees-to-
Blossom, 315; Old Woman Who Met the Months, 416; Prince
Butterfly and Clover Blossom, 161; White Hare of Inaba, 181;
Why the Snow is White, 302.
LABOUR DAY: Man WTho Brought Fire, 287; "In streams the
gold, the copper flows," 274; Why Unlucky Iron Kills, 290.
LABYRINTH: Boy Whose Wings Fell Off, 249.
LADYBIRDS: Ladybird! Ladybird! 171.
LAUREL: Daphne, 333; Daughter of the Laurel, 317.
LEUCOTHOE: Clytie, the Heliotrope, 21.
LIGHT: Drop of the Water of Light, 258.
LILIES: Beauty of the Lily, 32; Dragon Sin, 29; Lilies White, 111;
"Now all fair things come to light" (poem), 6.
LIONS: Cupid's Darts, 60; "Her angel's face" (poem), 180.
LOKI : Idun and the Magic Apples, 215.
LOYALTY: Goldenrod, 136; King Picus the Woodpecker, 87; Little
Princess White Chicory, 131; Morning-Glory Fan, 175; White
Flowering Almond, 319.
MAGPIES: Magpie Maidens, 90; Greedy Blackbird, 83.
MAIZE: see CORN.
MAPLES: Maple Leaf For Ever, 330.
MARIGOLDS: "Jealous girls" (poem), 6; Marigold Arrows, 116.
MAY DAY, see FLOWERS AND MAY DAY.
MERCURY (GREEK NAME HERMES): Apple of Discord, 209; En-
chanted Swine, 389; Hundred-Headed Daffodil, 424; Man Who
Brought Fire, 287.
478 SUBJECT INDEX
MIDAS: Golden Gift of King Midas, 275; Reeds that Told a Secret,
421.
MIGNONETTE: Mignonette Fairy, 26.
MINERVA (GREEK NAMES ATHENE AND PALLAS ATHENA) : Apple of
Discord, 209; Boy Who Caught Flies, 172; Golden Apples of the
Hesperides, 205; Winged Horse, 397.
MINOTAUR: Boy Whose Wings Fell Off, 249.
MODESTY: WTood-Violet Who was a Maiden, 127.
MOLY: Enchanted Swine, 389.
MOON: "I bring fresh flowers" (poem), 244; Jack and Jill, 252;
Maiden in the Moon, 256; Man in the Moon, 251; Robe of Feath-
ers, 97; Sheep in the Pasture, 254.
MORNING-GLORIES: Morning-Glory Fan, 175.
MOTHERS AND MOTHERS' DAY: Golden Strawberries, 201; Hundred-
Headed Daffodil, 424; Magic Strawberries, 199; Maiden of the
White Camellias, 40; Why Crows Caw, 81.
MOUNTAIN ASH : Snowdrop Fairy, 7.
MUSES: Apple of Discord, 209; Magpie Maidens, 90.
NAIADS: Little Hylas, 150; Pan's Song, 100.
NARCISSUS: Echo and Narcissus, 16.
NEPTUNE (GREEK NAME POSEIDON) : Bag of Winds, 268.
NEREIDS: Apple of Discord, 209.
NEW YEAR'S DAY: The New Year, 438.
NIGHTINGALES: King Suleyman and the Nightingale, 73; Nightin-
gale and the Rose, 74; Sultana of the Flowers, 72.
NIOBE: Stone that Shed Tears, 145.
NYMPHS: Arethusa, 148; Clytie, the Heliotrope, 21; King Picus the
Woodpecker, 87; Little Nymph Who Loved Bright Colours, 11;
Little Nymph Who Rang the Bells, 114; Magpie Maidens, 90;
Mariora Floriora, 430; Why Crocus Holds up his Golden Cup, 107;
Why the Frogs Call the' Buttercups, 132; Why Venus "Liked
Doves, 57; Weeping Waters, 146. See also DRYADS; NAIADS; and
NEREIDS.
OAKS: Fruit on the Rose-Bush, 118; Little White Daisy, 134.
OBEDIENCE AND DISOBEDIENCE: Boy Whose Wings Fell Off, 249;
Daughter of the Laurel, 317; Frail Windflower, 108; Why Crows
Caw, 81.
OCEAN AND SEAS: "A Drop of Rain was falling" (poem), 222;
Fisherboy Urashima, 223; "Full fathom five thy father lies"
(poem), 222; Jewel Tears, 234; Prince Fireshine and Prince
Firefade, 227.
ODIN: Idun and the Magic Apples, 215.
SUBJECT INDEX 479
OLYMPUS, MOUNT: Boy that the Eagle Stole, 95; Magpie Maidens,
90; Tantalizing Fruits, 204.
OPIUM: Bad Poppy-Seeds, 24.
ORPHEUS: "Orpheus with his lute" (poem), 314; Orpheus Who
Made the Trees to Dance, 320; Ram with the Golden Fleece,
383.
OWLS: Boy Who Caught Flies, 172; Why the Owl Cries Hoot!
Hoot! 79.
PAN: Pan's Lovely Maid, 142; Reeds that Told a Secret, 421;
Reed that was a Maiden, 418.
PANDORA: Man Who Brought Fire, 287.
PAXSIES: Heart's Ease, 28; How Pansies Came Coloured, 57;
Pansy-Bay, 23.
PARIS: Apple of Discord, 209.
PATIENCE: Little Princess White Chicory, 131.
PEACHES: Peach Boy's Rice-Cakes, 371.
PEARLS: "A Drop of Rain was falling" (poem), 222; "Full fathom
five thy father lies" (poem), 222; Pan's Song, 100.
PEGASUS: Magpie Maidens, 90; Winged Horse, 397.
PELEUS: Apple of Discord, 209.
PEONIES: Princess Peony, 44.
PEWEES: Why the Pewee Looks for Brother, 81.
PHCENIX: Spice Bird, 85.
PHRIXUS: Ram with the Golden Fleece, 383.
PHYLLIS: White Flowering Almond, 319.
Picus: King Picus the Woodpecker, 87.
PIERIDES: Magpie Maidens, 90.
PINES: Maple Leaf For Ever, 330; Wind in the Pine, 326.
PLEIADES: Lazy Boys Who Became the Pleiades, 255.
PLUTO: Hundred-Headed Daffodils, 424; Weeping Wraters, 146.
POLITENESS AND IMPOLITENESS: Duck-Feather Man, 353; Farmer
Mybrow, 342; Old Woman Who Met the Months, 416.
POMEGRANATES : Why the Pomegranate W'ears a Crown and Royal
Robes, 202.
POMONA: Fruit on the Rose-Bush, 118; Wooing of Pomona, 434.
POPPIES: Bad Poppy-Seeds, 24.
POTATOES: Potato-Choosing Boy, 355; Potato! Potato! 349.
PRIMROSE: Primrose Son, 110; "The air is soft" (poem), 122.
PROMETHEUS: Golden Apples of the Hesperides, 205; Man Who
Brought Fire, 287.
PROSERPINA (GREEK NAME PERSEPHONE): Hundred-Headed
Daffodil, 424; Weeping Waters, 146.
PURITY: Beauty of the Lily, 32.
480 SUBJECT INDEX
RABBITS AND HARES: Little White Rabbit, 278; Snowball Hares,
301; White Hare of Inaba, 181; Why Rabbits have Yellow Hairs,
188; Why the Deer have Antlers, 190.
RAIN: "A Drop of Rain was falling" (poem), 222; "I bring fresh
showers" ( poem), 244.
RAINBOWS: Colours of the Rainbow, 257; Flower of the Rainbow,
246; Idun and the Magic Apples, 215; Seven Corn Maidens, 376;
Why the Iris Wears Rainbow Colours, 245.
RANUNCULUS: Why the Frogs Call the Buttercups, 132. See also
BUTTERCUPS.
REEDS: Reeds that Told a Secret, 421; Reed that was a Maiden,
418.
RELIGIOUS STORIES: Beauty of the Lily, 32; Cup of Thanksgiving,
31; Dragon Sin, 29.
RESURRECTION DAY (EASTER): Beauty of the Lily, 32; Dragon Sin,
29.
RETRIBUTION: Boy Who Caught Flies, 172; Boy Whose Wings Fell
Off, 249; Daughter of the Laurel, 317; Duck-Feather Man, 353;
Fisherboy Urashima, 223; Erysichthon the Hungry, 323; Garden
of Frost Flowers, 304; Girl Who Trod on a Loaf, 404; Golden
Gift of King Midas, 275; Magpie Maidens, 90; Maiden White
and Maiden Yellow, 50; Man in the Moon, 251; Mariora Floriora,
430; Old Woman Who Met the Months, 416; Proud Buckwheat,
339; Rose-Tree Queen, 67; Sheep in the Pasture, 254; Stone that
Shed Tears, 145.
RHODANTHE: Rose-Tree Queen, 67.
RICE: Peach Boy's Rice-Cakes, 371.
ROBINS: "My old Welsh neighbour" (poem), 78; Pan's Song, 100.
ROSES: Adventures of Cupid Among the Roses, 55; Anemone and
the Rose, 64; "A Wild-Rose Tree" (poem), 154; Blush-Rose and
the Sun, 70; Cup of Thanksgiving, 81; Fruit on the Rose-Bush,
118; Golden Gift of King Midas, 275; How Moss-Roses Came, 71;
"I will not have the mad Clyde" (poem), 54; King Suleyman
and the Nightingale, 73; Nightingale and the Rose, 74; Pan's
Lovely Maid, 142; Rose-Tree Queen, 67; Sultana of the Flowers,
72; " Then came we to great breadths of shady wood" (poem), 54.
SAINT PATRICK: Last of the Serpents, 193; Why there are no Snakes
in Ireland, 191.
SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY: Adventures of Cupid Among the Roses,
55; Anemone and the Rose, 64; Fairy Swan Song, 238; King
Suleyman and the Nightingale, 73; Maiden in the Moon, 256;
Morning-Glory Fan, 175; Sultana of the Flowers, 72; Wind in
the Pines, 326.
SUBJECT INDEX 481
SCHOOL GARDENS AND FARMING: "All around the happy village"
(poem), 338; Beauty of the Lily, 32; Farmer Mybrow, 342;
Legend of the Corn, 381; Heart's Ease, 28; Pet Turkey, 366;
Potato-Choosing Boy, 355; Potato! Potato! 349; Proud Buck-
wheat, 339; Seven Corn Maidens, 376; Turkey-Given Corn, 360;
Why Spiders Live in Dark Corners, 165; Wicked Fairies, 283.
SEASONS: "First April, she with mellow showers," 412; Fisherboy
Urashima, 223; Goldenrod, 136; Hundred-Headed Daffodil, 424;
Maple Leaf For Ever, 330; Old Man Coyote and Summer in a
Bag, 413; Old Woman Who Met the Months, 416; Seven Corn
Maidens, 376; "So forth issued the Seasons of the Year " (poem),
412; The New Year, 438; Trailing Arbutus, 123; Why Crocus
Holds up his Golden Cup, 107.
SMILAX: Why Crocus Holds up his Golden Cup, 107.
SNAKES: Last of the Serpents, 193; Pansy-Boy, 23; Why there are
no Snakes in Ireland, 191.
SNOW: Garden of Frost Flowers, 304; How the First Snowdrop
Came, 303; "Now you must know that in those early times"
(poem), 296; Snowball Hares, 301; Snow-Blanche, 297; Why the
Snow is White, 302.
SNOWDROPS: How the First Snowdrop Came, 303; Snowdrop Fairy,
7; Why the Snow is White, 302.
SOUL, THE: Cup of Thanksgiving, 31.
SPARROWS: Girl Who Trod on a Loaf, 404; The New Year, 438;
Why Venus Liked Doves, 57.
SPIDERS: Anansi the Spider-man, 165.
SPRING STORIES: Flower of the Rainbow, 246; "So forth issued
the Seasons of the Year," 412; Trailing Arbutus, 123. See also
FLOWERS AND MAY DAY, and RAINBOWS.
STARS: Arion and the Dolphin, 23£; Lazy Boys Who Became the
Pleiades, 255; Sheep in the Pasture, 254; Winged Horse, 397.
STONES: Stone that Shed Tears, 145; Stony Maid, 437; Why Spiders
Live under Stones, 168.
STORKS: The New Year, 438.
STRAWBERRIES: Golden Strawberries, 201; Magic Strawberries, 199.
SUMMER STORIES: Old Man Coyote and Summer in a Bag, 413; "So
forth issued the Seasons of the Year" (poem), 412.
SUN: Bush-Rose and the Sun, 70; Clytie, the Heliotrope, 21; Drop
of the Water of Light, 258; Marigold Arrows, 116; Mariora
Floriora, 430; Story that the Buttercups Told, 130; Why Rabbits
Have Yellow Hairs, 188; Wood-Violet that was a Maiden, 127.
SUNFLOWERS: Clytie, the Heliotrope, 21; Marigold Arrows, 116.
SWANS: Fairy Swan Song, 238.
SWEET-PEAS: "Here are Sweet-Peas" (poem), 6.
482 SUBJECT INDEX
SWINE: Enchanted Swine, 389.
SYRINX : Reeds that Told a Secret, 421 ; Reed that was a Maiden, 418.
TANTALUS: Tantalizing Fruits, 204.
TARTARUS: Tantalizing Fruits, 204.
THALIA: Why Crocus Holds up his Golden Cup, 107.
THANKSGIVING TO GOD: Cup of Thanksgiving, 31.
THETIS: Apple of Discord, 209; Pan's Song, 100.
THRIFT AND UNTHRIFT: Girl Who Trod on a Loaf, 404; Nightingale
and the Rose, 74.
TIDES, EBBING AND FLOWING: Prince Fireshine and Prince Firefade,
227.
TIGERS: Tiger and the Man, 183.
TMOLUS: Reeds that Told a Secret, 421.
TORTOISES: Fisherboy Urashima, 223.
TREES AND ARBOUR DAY: Daphne, 333; Daughter of the Laurel,
317; Erysichthon the Hungry, 323; Fruit of the Rose-Bush, 118;
Little White Daisy, 134; Maple Leaf For Ever, 330; Orpheus Who
Made the Trees to Dance, 320; "Orpheus with his lute" (poem),
314; White Flowering Almond, 319; Wind in the Pine, 326.
TROY: Apple of Discord, 209.
TRUTH TELLING AND LYING: Duck-Feather Man, 353; Fanner My-
brow, 342; Fisherboy Urashima, 223; Garden of Frost Flowers,
304; White Hare of Inaba, 181.
TULIPS: Little Nymph Who Loved Bright Colours, 11.
TURKEY: Pet Turkey, 366; Turkey-Given Corn, 360.
TYRIAN PURPLE: Why the Pomegranate Wears a Crown and Royal
Robes, 202.
ULYSSES (GREEK NAME ODYSSEUS) : Bag of Winds, 268; Enchanted
Swine, 389.
UNA: "Her angle's face" (poem), 180.
URASHIMA: Fisherboy Urashima, 223.
VALENTINE'S DAY, see SAINT VALENTINE'S DAT.
VALHALLA : Idun and the Magic Apples, 215.
VENUS (GREEK NAME APHRODITE) : Adventures of Cupid Among the
Roses, 55; Anemone and the Rose, 64; Apple of Discord, 209;
Fruit on the Rose-Bush, 118; Hundred-Headed Daffodil, 424.
VERTUMNUS: Fruit on the Rose-Bush, 118; Little Nymph Who
Loved Bright Colours, 11; Little White Daisy, 134; Wooing of
Pomona, 434.
VIOLETS: Wood-Violet that was a Maiden, 127.
SUBJECT INDEX 483
VULCAN (GREEK NAME HEPH^STUS) : Boy that the Eagle Stole, 95;
Cupid's Darts, 60; Man Who Brought Fire, 287.
WASPS: Why Unlucky Iron Kills, 290.
WILLOWS: Proud Buckwheat, 339.
WINDFLOWERS: Anemone and the Rose, 64; Frail Windflower, 108.
WINDS: Bag of Winds, 268; Frail Windflower, 108; Halcyon Birds,
261; Wind in the Pine, 326.
WINTER STORIES: "So forth issued the Seasons of the Year, " 412;
The New Year, 438; Trailing Arbutus, 123. See also BOREAS;
FROST; SNOW.
WITCHES AND ENCHANTRESSES: Enchanted Swine, 389; King Picus
the Woodpecker, 87; Old Witch Who was a Burr, 137; Witch
Cat, 345.
WOODPECKERS: King Picus the Woodpecker, 87.
WORMS: Prince Butterfly and Clover Blossom, 161; Rose-Tree
Queen, 67.
WRENS: Why the Owl Cries Hoot! Hoot! 79.
YAMS: Farmer Mybrow, 342.
ZEPHYR: Frail Windflower, 108; Fruit on the Rose-Bush, 118?
Why Crocus Holds up his Golden Cup, 107.
tCfc fcidrrstBe Press
CAMBRIDGE • MASSACHUSETTS
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3 1 1 1992
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